Author Topic: 500 px. Now has distributors to sell images (Read 33155 times)

noodle · « **on:** November 09, 2015, 21:37 »

Just received a notice from 500px that they are rolling out distribution sales via various partners
They mentioned that any sales that occur via partners will result in contributers getting the guaranteed minimum amount that they would have gotten through direct 500px sales

They are also making this optional opt in / out for contributers.

Wondering if this is a good time to start ramping uploads.
What you all think?

pancaketom · « **Reply #1 on:** November 09, 2015, 23:18 »

As usual, the devil is in the details. Is this going to be one of those shady deals where a distributor sells an image for big bucks and we get a sub sale amount?

Jo Ann Snover · « **Reply #2 on:** November 10, 2015, 00:14 »

I'm very new with 500px so I don't really have an opinion on what makes sense. There is some information here

https://licensing.500px.com/distribution/

But not really a lot of detail. Can the distributors sell for higher prices and if they do, does the contributor make 70% of that or just a flat rate of what they would have made at the marketplace?

I've left my account opted in for now (the default)

cobalt · « **Reply #3 on:** November 10, 2015, 00:35 »

Good move.

It is not easy to cover the whole world alone and open offices everywhere.

I am sure you will get more than under a standard distribution deal elsewhere.

Let's See what we here from the first sales.

If they give me a proper watermark on the image preview, I would be really interested.

Mantis · « **Reply #4 on:** November 10, 2015, 08:46 »

Quote from: Jo Ann Snover on November 10, 2015, 00:14

I'm very new with 500px so I don't really have an opinion on what makes sense. There is some information here

https://licensing.500px.com/distribution/

But not really a lot of detail. Can the distributors sell for higher prices and if they do, does the contributor make 70% of that or just a flat rate of what they would have made at the marketplace?

I've left my account opted in for now (the default)

That was my very very first question to myself. Introducing partners seems to always have a villainous intent.

FlowerPower · « **Reply #5 on:** November 10, 2015, 09:04 »

Quote from: pancaketom on November 09, 2015, 23:18

As usual, the devil is in the details. Is this going to be one of those shady deals where a distributor sells an image for big bucks and we get a sub sale amount?

Why not? They paid the subscriotion price they can resell for whatever they want. We get the sub. I don't like that but what can we do? We have no rights after the API buys the photo and can't dictate what they do with it or how much they sell for. We have no rights on any sale at other agencys either. It can go into a book, on a billboard, newspaper, front page cover of magazine. We get sub pay the buyer gets license value. No I don't like, just pointing out facts. Once buyer, buys we have no control. If they can resell we can't dictate prices.

ShadySue · « **Reply #6 on:** November 10, 2015, 11:24 »

Quote from: FlowerPower on November 10, 2015, 09:04

Quote from: pancaketom on November 09, 2015, 23:18
As usual, the devil is in the details. Is this going to be one of those shady deals where a distributor sells an image for big bucks and we get a sub sale amount?

Why not? They paid the subscriotion price they can resell for whatever they want. We get the sub. I don't like that but what can we do? We have no rights after the API buys the photo and can't dictate what they do with it or how much they sell for. We have no rights on any sale at other agencys either. It can go into a book, on a billboard, newspaper, front page cover of magazine. We get sub pay the buyer gets license value. No I don't like, just pointing out facts. Once buyer, buys we have no control. If they can resell we can't dictate prices.

In most agencies there are restrictions. It is not normal for someone to be able to resell on a subs fee. If there are some agencies which allow that, why be there?

amabu · « **Reply #7 on:** November 10, 2015, 11:33 »

Quote from: FlowerPower on November 10, 2015, 09:04

Quote from: pancaketom on November 09, 2015, 23:18
As usual, the devil is in the details. Is this going to be one of those shady deals where a distributor sells an image for big bucks and we get a sub sale amount?

Why not? They paid the subscriotion price they can resell for whatever they want. We get the sub. I don't like that but what can we do? We have no rights after the API buys the photo and can't dictate what they do with it or how much they sell for. We have no rights on any sale at other agencys either. It can go into a book, on a billboard, newspaper, front page cover of magazine. We get sub pay the buyer gets license value. No I don't like, just pointing out facts. Once buyer, buys we have no control. If they can resell we can't dictate prices.

No, you´re not "just pointing out facts".

An API cannot "buy the photo". Do you even know what an API is and how it works?

And 500px doesn´t offer subs.

wordplanet · « **Reply #8 on:** November 10, 2015, 12:21 »

I think widening their distribution network will help us, not hurt.

FlowerPower, 500px doesn't have subs and the distributors don't buy our images, they license them to others like 500px does and get a cut of the royalties.

They lose some control by using distributors, but on balance, I think widening their network is a sign that they are serious about licensing our images and making money for everyone - them and us. So, personally, I'm happy to hear it.

stockastic · « **Reply #9 on:** November 10, 2015, 12:36 »

I'm not on 500px and don't plan to be. What I've seen so far is that every 'distributor' deal is a ripoff of contributors. One way or another, we take a cut and there is some not-so-subtle pressure to discourage opt-outs. A so-called 'distributor' is just a way to add commissioned sales people paid for out the contributor's share - with no cost to agency. And yes, I know they're "sales we would otherwise not have gotten". Oh yeah.

If this distributor deal doesn't fit that pattern, it would be a first in my estimation.

nuno · « **Reply #10 on:** November 10, 2015, 13:08 »

To clarify:
There's a minimum price agreement with each of the distributors that factors in the distributor's share so our photographers will continue to see comparable payouts to what they've come to expect from 500px even after the distributor's share. There is no maximum price guarantee and early reports are indicating some great royalties for our contributors.

There is no villainous intent. Quite a few of us have worked or been photographers in the business for a while which is why when we started looking at these partnerships they were for very strategic reasons with very specific requirements. As mentioned, it's an opportunity for us to work with sales and marketing teams all over the world who know their regions better than we ever will and expand our photographers reach by working with a single agency.

Monty-m-gue · « **Reply #11 on:** November 10, 2015, 13:10 »

Quote from: nuno on November 10, 2015, 13:08

To clarify:
There's a minimum price agreement with each of the distributors that factors in the distributor's share so our photographers will continue to see comparable payouts to what they've come to expect from 500px even after the distributor's share. There is no maximum price guarantee and early reports are indicating some great royalties for our contributors.

There is no villainous intent. Quite a few of us have worked or been photographers in the business for a while which is why when we started looking at these partnerships they were for very strategic reasons with very specific requirements. As mentioned, it's an opportunity for us to work with sales and marketing teams all over the world who know their regions better than we ever will and expand our photographers reach by working with a single agency.

Hi Nuno, can you say who these partners are?

Ignatus · « **Reply #13 on:** November 10, 2015, 14:59 »

It may be just a coincidence, but I just have three 50$ sales in few minutes. Nice!

Deyan Georgiev Photography · « **Reply #14 on:** November 10, 2015, 15:07 »

Half hour ago I received $50 sale

Who care if it's trough distributor, $50 are always $50

Deyan Georgiev Photography · « **Reply #15 on:** November 10, 2015, 15:09 »

Just to complement, to me it's not coincidence as i have regular sales there.

Ignatus · « **Reply #16 on:** November 10, 2015, 15:24 »

Quote from: Deyan Georgiev on November 10, 2015, 15:09

Just to complement, to me it's not coincidence as i have regular sales there.

Yes, me too. Over the last four months, 500px is my 2nd earner (better than Fotolia, dreamstime and 123rf). But I think at least one of the last sales is from distributor: the image is not in the prime collection and there is no $50 license in the core collection I think.

trek · « **Reply #17 on:** November 10, 2015, 15:30 »

It's smart that they have an opt out. Hopefully 500px will choose their partners carefully. Other agencies have partners will crazy prices, no photographer credits, tiny watermarks, questionable terms and conditions... and no opt outs. Careful choice of partners matters.

cobalt · « **Reply #18 on:** November 10, 2015, 15:44 »

It is great to hear that people have sales

Zero Talent · « **Reply #19 on:** November 10, 2015, 17:37 »

Quote from: cobalt on November 10, 2015, 15:44

It is great to hear that people have sales

Yep, sales really have increased lately. October brought me some huge sales!
Despite having uploaded only a fraction of my port, my 500px climbed just behind the big 3, with about 10% of the my total, ahead of Alamy, 123RF, DT, Pond 5!

With already 2 sales in November, I can only hope 500px will only continue its growth.

noodle · « **Reply #20 on:** November 10, 2015, 17:47 »

Just curious - with sales, are they of images that you would put up on mcrostock, or would they be more of artistic type images?

Would buyers be buying to promote something, or to print something to hang on a wall?

Just wondering what kind of buyers would be on 500 px

Thanks for any feedback

Ignatus · « **Reply #21 on:** November 10, 2015, 18:34 »

Quote from: noodle on November 10, 2015, 17:47

Just curious - with sales, are they of images that you would put up on mcrostock, or would they be more of artistic type images?

Would buyers be buying to promote something, or to print something to hang on a wall?

Just wondering what kind of buyers would be on 500 px

Thanks for any feedback

I only put landscape / travel images on 500px, so all my sales are landscape / travel images, of known places. These images are also on microstock, some of them are doing OK, some of them are not.

Mantis · « **Reply #22 on:** November 10, 2015, 21:21 »

Quote from: nuno on November 10, 2015, 13:08

To clarify:
There's a minimum price agreement with each of the distributors that factors in the distributor's share so our photographers will continue to see comparable payouts to what they've come to expect from 500px even after the distributor's share. There is no maximum price guarantee and early reports are indicating some great royalties for our contributors.

There is no villainous intent. Quite a few of us have worked or been photographers in the business for a while which is why when we started looking at these partnerships they were for very strategic reasons with very specific requirements. As mentioned, it's an opportunity for us to work with sales and marketing teams all over the world who know their regions better than we ever will and expand our photographers reach by working with a single agency.

So are the owners of dissolve and look what sh!t they pulled.

Microstockphoto · « **Reply #23 on:** November 11, 2015, 03:17 »

Why the hostility towards a company offering truly high royalties and not even a micro stock agency, they make me more in one sale than some smaller micros in a year

Anyka · « **Reply #24 on:** November 11, 2015, 03:25 »

I have been thinking of joining for a long time ... 500px is different from the usual microstock agencies, so I don't think "dumping" my whole portfolio would be a good move - or if I did, I don't think it would sell very well?
What kind of selection should I submit? Only artsy stuff? Everything except "isolated on white" ? Any other limitations?

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Author Topic: 500 px. Now has distributors to sell images (Read 33155 times)

noodle

pancaketom

Jo Ann Snover

cobalt

Mantis

FlowerPower

ShadySue

amabu

wordplanet

stockastic

nuno

Monty-m-gue

nuno

Ignatus

Deyan Georgiev Photography

Deyan Georgiev Photography

Ignatus

trek

cobalt

Zero Talent

noodle

Ignatus

Mantis

Microstockphoto

Anyka

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