Phil

Some additional info on your workload/workflow might help with suggestions. Such as batch processing and export - how many images do you typically batch process and/or export? There's considerable difference between 10 vs 50+ images being batch processed or exported. Both PS and LrC now have AI tools which would definitely be helped with even a modest GPU if one is not in current system. As for storage - I built my own PC a couple summers ago and one thing I decided was to use only SSD's in it or attached to it - except for an NAS used for backups with a couple of old Hitachi HDDs still spinning after many years.

Given the frequent reports of this abuse from the small number of Alamy contributors that frequent this forum - consider how widespread the problem must be across the entire contributor population. The existence of an Alamy "Infringement Team" is evidence of the scope of the issue. Payment should be made when media is downloaded to greatly reduce infringements. The anachronistic sales self-reporting and payment scheme would appear to be ripe for infringement and other abuse and a drain on Alamy's and their contributor's revenues.

Hoxie Bridge in central Texas. Erected turn-of-the-century/early 1900s. Relocated to a park in early 1980s where it now lives it's days being slowly overgrown by vegetation

That wallpaper image looks AI generated to me. All bright/strong color desktop wallpaper images can be distracting as well as bleed thru plus the bright colors can be tiring on my older eyeballs. I use a nice neutral gray solid color for wallpaper.

I'm on a roll... 2nd sale this month so far 😃 RM - Standard License $$ Typical small town church of rural US Appalachian mountains

RM sale - low $ 🙁 Worldwide; Editorial; Online Learning | Editorial Website/Video | Any size, Single placement and design, Use within reference to animation | Worldwide | In perpetuity + unlimited flashes; Website, app and social media "unlimited flashes:" ??

This TOS/AI issue is snow-balling on Adobe. It appears many wanted to terminate their Adobe subscription plan. But they were blind-sided by Adobe's early termination fees and other hidden gotchas. So much so that the US Federal Trade Commission has filed a Federal lawsuit against Adobe: https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/06/ftc-takes-action-against-adobe-executives-hiding-fees-preventing-consumers-easily-cancelling

Let me guess... Haven't opted out of Novel Use and/or Distribution to China?

Some of the locals in Texas Common Grackle Female Black-chinned hummingbird Male Northern Cardinal

They also have partnered with Deposit Photo to offer many of their videos on Alamy. At least twice in the most recent 2-3 years Alamy has stated in these forums that they planned to open video submissions to their contributors. So far only crickets. IMO - they likely decided they didn't want to be bothered doing QC on contributor submitted video footage.

As photographers we're more likely to notice that AI "difference". I've noted it in TV/internet/streaming video adverts. Whats important for "brands" is if consumers notice it and how they react to the use of AI being used for marketing to them.

The Alamy powers-that-be apparently have bigger fish to fry than communicating with and/or attempting to motivate contributors. https://cepic.org/news/emily-shelley-appointed-ceo-of-pa-media-group A glance at the roster reveals only one familiar name from the "old days" when Alamy communicated with contributors. Now it's crickets. https://www.alamy.com/about-us/

Trying to organize any group of freelance photographers would be like trying to herd cats.

RM Standard license 1 user World wide. Allowed usage: across websites, social media, short-form video on video sharing sites, digital publishing, digital marketing, and print runs up to 100,000. In perpetuity. Mid $$. Hooray 😄 - this one squeezes me by the threshold to keep me at Gold commission level post 1 July.

Adobe CEO's thoughts on AI. Not very comforting for more traditional creatives. https://petapixel.com/2024/05/18/adobes-ceo-is-just-not-on-the-same-wavelength-as-artists/