Shutterstock/Stockimo

[christian58]

Good move from Alamy!!  I applaud it very much!  most peoples content here ( bar a few) are sort of outdated editorial overtones images that hardly sell anyway, so Alamy is giving them a huge chance to sell over at Shutterstock!  generating a bit of extra cash for some people.

 

what on earth is wrong with that?  long gone are the days when traditional libraries asked for your dusty transparancies. so just take the extra cash, smile and be happy!

 

merry Christmas everybody!

[Arletta]

If there is no OPT OUT option than my commiseration to those people who avoid micros or removed their work from micros to not sell through SS and other cheap sites... Forcing people is just not fair and is crushing trust to the agency... Sad to read actions like this one.

[christian58]

Arletta! Why??  your portfolio is perfect for micro!  not overly creative, not too plain. Many of your type of photography is doing extremely well in micro, I cant see the problem?  there is no doubt what so ever that an agency like SS has completely taken over the entire industry ( just look at their turnover). Trying to beat them is just an impossibillity, even the largest RM/RF agency in the world have realized this.

 

For Alamy to widen the scope, extend horizons, what on earth is wrong with that? I mean you can not sincerely believe that in two years time, prices will be the same??  you be lucky to sell anything over 20 bucks in two years time and thats the prognosis btw.

[Arletta]

Christian, let me surprise you - my photos do much better in macros. I tested over 30 micro agencies to find out it's not working for me. Since joined macro my images just work better.
Maybe time to refresh your opinion with including other's experiences and limit your beliefs??

Besides I don't understand what your comment on my portfolio has to do with this thread and/ or my last post? What and to whom do you want to prove?

Edit. About your prognosis - I've heard them 5 years ago, still not happen...

And btw, don't you remember what you said in other thread here on Alamy not so long ago?

 

 

 

 

... However, Micro is not the answer. Micro is unsustainable in every way, continuing slashing prices, constant change of Algorithm and search, killing off tons of portfolios and right now for the average supplier, micro is really down. Just read the SS forum, doom and gloom.

 

RM is in my opinion the only thing left, extra revenues for rights, etc. RF is OK but its still low pricing....

 

[christian58]

 

Christian, let me surprise you - my photos do much better in macros. I tested over 30 micro agencies to find out it's not working for me. Since joined macro my images just work better.

Maybe time to refresh your opinion with including other's experiences and limit your beliefs??

 

Besides I don't understand what your comment on my portfolio has to do with this thread and/ or my last post? What and to whom do you want to prove?

 

Edit. About your prognosis - I've heard them 5 years ago, still not happen...

And btw, don't you remember what you said in other thread here on Alamy not so long ago?

 

 

 

... However, Micro is not the answer. Micro is unsustainable in every way, continuing slashing prices, constant change of Algorithm and search, killing off tons of portfolios and right now for the average supplier, micro is really down. Just read the SS forum, doom and gloom.

 

RM is in my opinion the only thing left, extra revenues for rights, etc. RF is OK but its still low pricing....

 

 

well thats not what I meant really. In a few years time, all these macro agencies will have adjusted themselves according to competition, if you understand?  since 1994 I have seen a 70% drop in pricing in the original House-collection in G. Thats a huge drop and they are right now adjusting themselves. Should Alamy then be the odd one out? the only one not adjusting itself?  strang business philosophy!

 

This is a business you see, not some hobby venture.

 

merry X-mas to you btw.

[Robert Brook]

Or to put it another way, while Alamy has been dropping its prices, the best two of the micros have been raising their’s. Not only that, but they also make it possible to achieve very high annual RPIs for their required level of work, while Alamy RPI seems to be crashing into the basement (or beyond).

 

I may be wrong, so if I am, hands up anyone whose net annual RPI (that is the net annual revenue divided by number of images held *) is greater than $10? Or even $5? Clearly Christian, if he is talking dollars or pounds, rather than Swedish Krona, is earning a very good rate at the despised SS. Would he be earning that here with those images?

 

Of course, if it’s a hobby, or we just want to see decent photography used occasionally, then it probably doesn’t matter. I’m sure Alamy is a heck of a better photo club than Shutterstock. But if we are in business, and not specialising in high end work for the creative industries, then I am afraid Christian is right: this is your future.

 

* Corrected - had this the wrong way round

[MircoV]

I just checked to total amount of dollars paid to contributors in 2014 from SS. I will rather dont mention it but i got dizzy. Almost 100 million in one year. How much i dont want to see it i have to say also that Christian is right.

 

Mirco

[Martin Carlsson]

Good move from Alamy!!  I applaud it very much!  most peoples content here ( bar a few) are sort of outdated editorial overtones images that hardly sell anyway, so Alamy is giving them a huge chance to sell over at Shutterstock!  generating a bit of extra cash for some people.

 

what on earth is wrong with that?  long gone are the days when traditional libraries asked for your dusty transparancies. so just take the extra cash, smile and be happy!

 

merry Christmas everybody!

 

Christian  - Stockimo is a "shot on iPhone" only collection outside of the main library here.

[ArthurGebuysPhotography]

Still no reply from Alamy, but that is also a reply I guess...
Stockimo on the other hand send me this:

Stockimo is a separate brand of images and operates under a different contract than your Alamy images. Stockimo images can be and are, distributed to a network of distributors. This includes some images currently also sold via Shutterstock. There is no opt out of certain partnerships with Stockimo, we want to generate revenue for stockimo users free from restriction or complexity. Shutterstock do not accommodate a username/Agency credit hence the images all appearing under 'Stockimo' , again this is covered under the Stockimo terms and conditions.

 

The Stockimo team  

God Jul / Merry Christmas,

Arthur

[Jill Morgan]

Well, I was going to do some Stockimo stuff. Planning on buying a used iPhone 4 just to upload but if they are going on Shutterstock, not going to bother.

 

Jill

[Arletta]

Jill, this is exactly like in my situation, just the same here... I had plans to start "doing" Stockimo but somehow lost my motivation. I'll better invest my time (and work) in other directions than Stockimo "business."

[spacecadet]

It's hardly worth buying a bag of crisps specifically for Alamy these days.

[MircoV]

Anyway besides everything what has been said. Alamy has still good potential with looking at Alamy plans like changing keywording system and the new contributor help pages. They also mentioned to be prepared for the future for technology like camera apps that submit photos directly to Alamy. This points also out that Alamy will be there for the long run.

 

Alamy suprises me every time when i dont expect it. There is everywhere also positive things to read. On Microstock forum a user mentioned that he left all micros two years ago and submits only to Alamy from then. He is earning now 4500+ netto per month on Alamy only and will never look back at Micros.

 

So I don’t think we need to be scared for having images from Stockimo on SS. Maybe they are opt out from subscriptions. This can be easily applied on SS.

 

Mirco

[wiskerke]

Alamy suprises me every time when i dont expect it. There is everywhere also positive things to read. On Microstock forum a user mentioned that he left all micros two years ago and submits only to Alamy from then. He is earning now 4500+ netto per month on Alamy only and will never look back at Micros.

Mirco

 

And this was not you ?

;-)

 

wim

[MircoV]

 

Alamy suprises me every time when i dont expect it. There is everywhere also positive things to read. On Microstock forum a user mentioned that he left all micros two years ago and submits only to Alamy from then. He is earning now 4500+ netto per month on Alamy only and will never look back at Micros.

Mirco

 

And this was not you ?

;-)

 

wim

 

Helaas niet mijn goede vriend Wim .

 

This person has a more then 100k port on Alamy.

 

Mirco

[wiskerke]

 

 

Alamy suprises me every time when i dont expect it. There is everywhere also positive things to read. On Microstock forum a user mentioned that he left all micros two years ago and submits only to Alamy from then. He is earning now 4500+ netto per month on Alamy only and will never look back at Micros.

Mirco

 

And this was not you ?

;-)

 

wim

 

Helaas niet mijn goede vriend Wim .

 

This person has a more then 100k port on Alamy.

 

Mirco

 

 

;-))

 

Ahh, but you know who it is then?

Maybe we could all learn from him/her.

 

wim

[NYCat]

Am I right that Shutterstock only has RF images? Can we avoid it by saying our Stockimo submissions are not suitable for commercial use? They would be RM if we say that.

 

Paulette

[wiskerke]

Am I right that Shutterstock only has RF images? Can we avoid it by saying our Stockimo submissions are not suitable for commercial use? They would be RM if we say that.

 

Paulette

 

Of course, that's the best solution.

And maybe go for more 4-s, because contrary to my first hunch, the 4-s seem to be absent there so far. Which may be a good thing in the testing phase.

 

wim

[MircoV]

 

 

 

Alamy suprises me every time when i dont expect it. There is everywhere also positive things to read. On Microstock forum a user mentioned that he left all micros two years ago and submits only to Alamy from then. He is earning now 4500+ netto per month on Alamy only and will never look back at Micros.

Mirco

 

And this was not you ?

;-)

 

wim

 

Helaas niet mijn goede vriend Wim .

 

This person has a more then 100k port on Alamy.

 

Mirco

 

 

;-))

 

Ahh, but you know who it is then?

Maybe we could all learn from him/her.

 

wim

 

I only know his username

gpgibson

 

He doesnt share any other data.

 

Mirco

[Arletta]

Am I right that Shutterstock only has RF images? Can we avoid it by saying our Stockimo submissions are not suitable for commercial use? They would be RM if we say that.

 

 

That's correct, SS doesn't offer RM, it's microstock (RF + subs. + cheap)...

 

Some time ago my friend said that he asked Alamy team about editorial stuff and he's been told that he can upload RM-editorial images (on Alamy) to SS as RF editorial. I don't understand it completely

[christian58]

Am I right that Shutterstock only has RF images? Can we avoid it by saying our Stockimo submissions are not suitable for commercial use? They would be RM if we say that.

 

Paulette

I doubt very much your phone images are suitable for commercial use. SS have single-sales for hundreds of dollars, enhanced-license sales for around 40 dollars, and on-demand credit sales plus of course like all other sites, the subs sales. 

Once an image has sold as RF or subs, it can never be sold as an RM image.

[Lisa]

​My first iPhone sale was for $440 and used on an air freshener can. I've also spotted two book covers so far using Stockimo photos, but not mine.

 

EDIT:

Can't spell

[wiskerke]

 

 

 

 

Alamy suprises me every time when i dont expect it. There is everywhere also positive things to read. On Microstock forum a user mentioned that he left all micros two years ago and submits only to Alamy from then. He is earning now 4500+ netto per month on Alamy only and will never look back at Micros.

Mirco

 

And this was not you ?

;-)

 

wim

 

Helaas niet mijn goede vriend Wim .

 

This person has a more then 100k port on Alamy.

 

Mirco

 

 

;-))

 

Ahh, but you know who it is then?

Maybe we could all learn from him/her.

 

wim

 

I only know his username

gpgibson

 

He doesnt share any other data.

 

Mirco

 

 

This Mr Gibson is quite famous. He's also quite dead. He was one of the Dambusters. He was shot down over Steenbergen in the Netherlands in 1944. Where he's been buried. A street is named after him and they have a Dambusters Park. There's a Lancaster and a Mosquito St. too: The Dam busting raid was with Lancasters,  but he was shot down in a Mosquito.

Writing all this down makes me realize I probably have had an e-mail conversation with mr gpgibson from that forum. And some of the forum members who were on the old forum as well, because he used to be a regular there, if I'm not mistaken.

He was quite successful indeed, and probably still is.

 

I drive past Steenbergen about 3 times a week at the moment. Maybe I should visit it sometime.

At the moment it's famous for one of the right wing riots against the reception of refugees from Syria.

 

wim

[christian58]

Anyway besides everything what has been said. Alamy has still good potential with looking at Alamy plans like changing keywording system and the new contributor help pages. They also mentioned to be prepared for the future for technology like camera apps that submit photos directly to Alamy. This points also out that Alamy will be there for the long run.

 

Alamy suprises me every time when i dont expect it. There is everywhere also positive things to read. On Microstock forum a user mentioned that he left all micros two years ago and submits only to Alamy from then. He is earning now 4500+ netto per month on Alamy only and will never look back at Micros.

 

So I don’t think we need to be scared for having images from Stockimo on SS. Maybe they are opt out from subscriptions. This can be easily applied on SS.

 

Mirco

Yes there are dozens of examples of portfolios leaving one for another, one of the biggest was a "factory" with some, 12 photographers that quit RF and stuck it all in micro, over 100000 files actually. They managed to cut themselves a deal and left.

However there is no shortcut anymore. Its not really a matter of good quality photography, its become a quantity factor more so.

 

In running my small traditional off-line agency, only around 150K images, all RM and very high-res Tiff files. I find the same customers coming back all the time, especially AD and PR agencies for whom I been doing commissioned work for over the years. Very often I keep hearing that they can get a simioar image much cheaper in some agency and its always some micro agency, never a trad agency and in listening to creatives all over the globe its all too obvious that the micro industry is winning this battle by lightyears ahead.

I don't like it anymore then the next guy but there you go. Can't beat them? join them.

So if any trad agency should work out a smart plan to place pictures with something as successfull as SS, well I think that would be a pretty clever move. There are many, many people there earning absolute fortunes.

 

merry Christmas!

[Cryptoprocta]

 

Am I right that Shutterstock only has RF images? Can we avoid it by saying our Stockimo submissions are not suitable for commercial use? They would be RM if we say that.

 

Paulette

I doubt very much your phone images are suitable for commercial use. SS have single-sales for hundreds of dollars, enhanced-license sales for around 40 dollars, and on-demand credit sales plus of course like all other sites, the subs sales. 

Once an image has sold as RF or subs, it can never be sold as an RM image.

 

That's not true. It cannot be sold as a totally exclusive RM image, but there are many other RM contracts. I've never sold any exclusive rights via Alamy.

Alamy itself has RM sales on designated-RF files (check any RF file to see).

 

On-topic: I became fed up waiting for Alamy to introduce the promised Android support for Stockimo (be careful what you wish for) and as my sister is about to upgrade her iPhone, I thought about buying her old one, but now I won't. Thanks to the OP - I wouldn't have known about the SS link.