Alamy - The Challenge - DPChallenge Forums

12/29/2005 01:21:16 PM · #601

You should be on Alamy Blue which gives you a commission rate of 65% to you, the photographer, and extra 10% comes off that if you are out of the UK (because thats the law), and whatever you get charged for taxes in your country aswell as bank fees. Not too sure how you came up with 8cents? you should get about 50cents for every dollar made, which is bang on the standard commission rates for most large stock libraries (read= not micro RF sites).

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

12/29/2005 01:55:07 PM · #602

Originally posted by ganders:

Originally posted by briphoto:
I have been so p!$$#% at Alamy because everything I've been sending in is either "unable to read media" (bullcrap!! something is wrong with their DVD readers), or "...sorry, we have misplaced ... could you please resubmit...". I'm wasting months because of their ineffeciency.

Can't comment on the misplacing issue, but I'd respectfully suggest that if they are having trouble reading your media it's you who has something wrong with your DVD burner, or possibly the media itself - Alamy are perfectly capable of reading DVDs from other people!

Really!? And how many DVDs have you submitted to them? If you read the Alamy Pro forum group postings you would see that this happens to others too who also have a good reason to believe there is no problems with the submission media.

Marjo

Canon EOS-7D

12/29/2005 01:55:27 PM · #603

Thanks. "late last night" is the key to the 8cent figure. :)
I thought I read that 22% would be withheld for non UK. Maybe that was the worse case scenerio? Also, the tax bracket that we fall in when paying yearly taxes is a factor and I'm not sure how I claim it as a transient vendor...I'm going to have to check with our accountant and get some questions answered. lol All this and my quality hasn't even been approved yet. Can't approve it if I don't send it. Man, my brain's working overtime!

ganders

Canon EOS-40D

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

12/29/2005 02:01:28 PM · #604

Originally posted by briphoto:

I've had seven submissions go through without a hitch.

Seriously, I'd suggest changing the media you're using and checking your burner - and of course most critically check that you can read the disks on a different drive before you send it in.

You see a lot of people complaining about how "there's something wrong with the reader" when there are problems like this (not restricted to photo agencies!) and 95% of the time the issue is at the writing end, not the reading end.

froglet

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

12/29/2005 02:10:07 PM · #605

Well I read briphoto's post the other day and wondered what the problem was as we've had 10 DVDs now accepted with no probs.... I spoke too soon, as today we get an e-mail telling us that the latest DVD has failed due to an 'image processing error' on all 81 images.

So they could obviously read the disk OK, having listed all 81 filenames, but now they can't do anything further with it ....I'm baffled ??

livitup

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED

12/30/2005 12:26:16 PM · #606

Can I ask a favor of anyone who has shots up on Alamy?

I'm putting together my QC CD and I'm trying to get a feel for what the mimimum level of quality I should strive for. I've got plenty of studio and location shots which are critically sharp, focused, exposed, etc. etc. etc. However I've also got a big handfull of shots that I'm on the edge about.

This Link will take you to a ~8MB TIFF file that's one of the images that I'm on the fence about. There's some post processing to be done to it, but if you look at it at 100% you can see that the cheetah isn't in focus. (I had trouble @ 300mm with a moving animal, more practice is needed!) It looks fine at smaller views, which is what I'm used to working at, but it looks pretty bad at 100%.

Am I over analyzing this, and should I stick this in my Alamy QC disc? Or is this a crappy photo that they'd reject?

TIA!

--Andrew

Message edited by author 2005-12-30 12:26:44.

mcmurma

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

Nikon MF 180mm f/2.8 ED AIS

12/30/2005 12:59:59 PM · #607

Hi Andrew,

I don't think Alamy would reject the image on technical quality, which is how I believe they base their testing. But, at the same time, I agree that this image is probably not the best example of a critically sharp image and I would leave it out if I were you.

Your QC CD should contain images that are quite sharp, without sharpening, and that are properly upsized using at least the bicubic smoother method in PS. I use the one step upsize, as I think that stair-step stuff leads to noticably worse image quality.

It's easy to get overly critical. Just send some good examples and go for it. The worst they can say is no.

12/30/2005 08:54:19 PM · #608

I haven't submitted to Alamy yet but on the CD/DVD issue may I ask if you're burning on 1X? I know Alamy stipulates that for errors.

I've had problems with CD's occassionally for general use and I've learned, as stated earlier, to check the cd on another pc before I give it to a friend.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

12/31/2005 01:26:44 AM · #609

Originally posted by LA_Sportsman:

Strange how both replies to this have stated I'm probably the one at fault. One of three of my DVDs was labeled "Cannot Read Media". All three were created with the same burner, software and media type. Alamys carelessness (understandable at the time knowing how many submissions they get and they were also going thru a major website overhaul) "lost" two of my submissions in a row. This same carelessness could render a media unreadable because of mishandling, etc..

Marjo

Canon EOS-7D

12/31/2005 09:55:44 AM · #610

Is the 1x an absolute requirement?
I just found out that I cannot adjust the writing speed on my DVD recorder. Do they sell 1X DVD discs?

Brent_Ward

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L USM

12/31/2005 10:44:44 AM · #611

Originally posted by Marjo:

Is the 1x an absolute requirement?
I just found out that I cannot adjust the writing speed on my DVD recorder. Do they sell 1X DVD discs?

I burn with a 16x drive and the best possible speed. Never had a problem.

WGF Images

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

12/31/2005 05:02:45 PM · #612

I haven't had any trouble with my DVD's, all which were burnt at 4x, with ultra-cheapo discs too.

Happy New Years, and bring on a successful 2006 for Alamy sales

Baron152

Canon EOS-40D

12/31/2005 08:07:48 PM · #613

First let me congratulate everyone who is selling their photographs here. It means there is hope for me.

I just spent the past 2+ hours reading this whole thread and this is just about what I am looking for as it would qualify as a part time photography job. I don't retire for about 3 years and am looking to move over to full time photography by the time I retire.

I guess what I would like to ask is if any of the Professional Stock Photographers here on DPC (Read "getting their photos accepted and making sales at Alamy) have considered writing a tutorial on the ABC's of getting the photos from camera to acceptance. There are so many things that were talked about and offered as suggestions it would be extremely helpful to be able to go to one place, be able to know what software and hardware works and the simplist way to get this done.

I am an amateur photgrapher for 25 years and only looking to move up in the past 12 months or so. I am okay with some of this but need my hand held (so to speak) on some other parts.

Just a thought as I read this. I know it tkes time and time is money, but if anyone has the process written down for themselves they may want to post it.

Thanks for all of the information and again congratulations on all the sales.

Have a Happy new Year.

01/01/2006 03:14:12 AM · #614

I don't recall very many people at all that adhere to the 1X write speed for DVDs. Not many people have that much patience.

oOWonderBreadOo

Canon EOS-5D

01/01/2006 09:13:37 PM · #615

Arghhhhh! Frustration sets in!
Just got an "unable to process" for my CD. After waiting a month! They have all the file names, just for some unknown reason they can't upload them to their system. Man I just want to give up!!! :0(

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

01/02/2006 01:10:12 AM · #616

Don't let the petty irritations set you apart from the ones that succeed!!

froglet

Canon EOS-20D

01/02/2006 09:15:52 AM · #617

Originally posted by briphoto:

I don't recall very many people at all that adhere to the 1X write speed for DVDs. Not many people have that much patience.

I do - unfortunately that's as fast as my DVD burner goes....

I e-mailed Alamy to find out more about why my latest submission was 'unable to process' and they replied that this means although they could read the disk, the images failed to copy to their system. They suggested that this could be due to scratches on the media/faulty burning process/cheap disks ('use a named brand'). I thought this statement in particular was helpful so thought I'd share it with you guys :

'More than with opening images, we are faced with problems when we try to copy images from the media to our system. Before submitting a disc to us you should copy a few images from the start and the end of a CD back to the desktop. If you can do this, then we should not have a problem. '

So might be worth a try.

oOWonderBreadOo

Canon EOS-5D

01/02/2006 06:31:34 PM · #618

thanks to both of you :0) I just don't have the heart to do it again just yet. In a few weeks I'll probably burn another CD & send it off too!

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

01/03/2006 03:37:16 AM · #619

So what about tssphoto or myloupe if the cd rejection issue is that big? The advantage of uploading vice cd/dvd is pretty big. Is the ultimate buyers market that much smaller? Any one have enough images at each to compare sales?

John White

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

01/03/2006 05:54:12 AM · #620

Alamy over last two years - 27 sales
Largest sale for once off usage (rights managed image) has been $1200 US
Smallest sale for a image $40 US
Average sale $250 US
Also with My loupe but too early to compare.
I mention these figures to try and convince others to sell their images for what they are worth.
Dont give your photos away for a dollar on the cheap sites as it will devalve the worth of all photography.
Hope this helps.
Feel free to email me if any questions.
Cheers from Australia John

Message edited by author 2006-01-03 05:56:49.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

01/03/2006 06:57:04 AM · #621

27 sales in 2 years, how many images in your library? I'm going to guess 1200-1300 to see if a ratio is right.

Of course you didn't have the total number from the first day.

John White

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

01/03/2006 08:03:29 AM · #622

I only had 15 photos on Alamy for first 9 months. Had a few sales so submitted about 800.
18 sale from the last 12 months.
Most 6 - 12 months ago.
Seems like the sites that sell photos for very small amounts are having an impact.
Only time will tell where stock photography is heading.
Hopefully photographers will understand that there will always be a market for quality photos and dont sell themselves short.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

01/03/2006 08:43:13 AM · #623

I'm very torn right now. I have few images on a micro but NONE would be acceptable on Alamy. Mostly, I posted images that required cropping to remove a distracting element in the foreground leaving me with 2-4MP files. I've also posted photos that required editing for exposure, cloning minor objects out, etc.

I'm keeping a folder of my best and working toward ten images to send to alamy. I've considered myloupe mainly because of the ease of online upload and because I do not own Genuine Fractals or CS2. I work with Paint Shop Pro (own v7, demo vX). A D70 purchase six months ago is what has made this feasible.

I'm debating with myself the sales models and photographers selling themselves (myself) short. There are outstanding photos on micro that don't belong there. That said, I believe there's a market for lower quality photos for uses such as websites where neither exclusivity nor perfect quality or necessary.

One issue I see with online sites from micros to alamy is clutter. Alamy talks big but they have series of similars from photographers as well as simply bad photographs. I believe part of the shake out will be with buyers choosing to go to agencies that can provide accurate searching without the clutter. Time is money. Some ask why would a buyer use RM from Getty to Alamy and the answer is twofold 1. quality and 2. time. The micros offer excellent quality for some shots but the buyer must still spend large amounts of time searching OR use the most popular image which increases the risk of competition using the same RF image.

Way back when I was a marketing major in college. One fact I remember is that Smith Corona considered itself a "typewriter company" and when pc's hit the scene attempted to simply build better hi-tech typewriters. IBM (per name) saw itself as a business machine company and adapted.

IBM's struggles in the last decade aside, I believe the lesson applies to stock photography today. These issues must be looked at from a marketing perspective. Agencies must decide to cater to a niche or the broad market from images for Madison Avenue to the Mom and Pop looking for the itunes of clipart/photography. As photograpers, I believe we can provide for both without selling out. HOWEVER, we sell ourselves short when we provide out best shots or full size files for limited uses. One way to limit someone from using a RF shot for a billboard campaign is to limit the resolution of the file provided. This not what the micros are doing to my knowledge, but I believe it's a compromise to the debate.

I'll close with I believe at least some micros are taking advantage of photographers b/c it seems the photographers have no bargaining rights and can basically take a hike if they don't like terms. I think that will change over the next year or so as more of the quality photographers realize their lack of control over images and pricing.

John White

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

01/03/2006 09:05:48 AM · #624

Most images can be upsized.
Most of my images on Alamy are from a 6 meg Canon D60 but I am still selling images I took 4 years ago with a 4 meg camera.
Upsize to 5100 x 3600 pixels, a slight sharpen, saved as a TIFF and you have a 55 meg TIFF.

Message edited by author 2006-01-04 04:59:20.