The popular stock photography service, iStockphoto, sent out an email to contributors today that it will begin offering a new subscription model to customers in April 2014. While iStock did not reveal the customer pricing for the subscription model, it is likely to be similar to Shutterstock’s plans, which allow 25 image downloads per day for a flat rate of $249/mo. [Read more…]
iStock Pricing Now Uses Real Dollars for Stock Photo Purchases
iStockphoto has long used a “credit” payment system that lets you buy images and other stock files with credits instead of dollars.
Until recently, the only option available for purchasing stock files at iStockphoto has been to purchase credits and then purchase the files with those purchased credits. Additionally, the actual dollar value of a credit may be different depending on how many credits you purchase in bulk. For those who buy lots of images on a frequent basis, the bulk purchase of credits makes sense. However, those who only occasionally purchase stock images or other files encounter problems with understanding the credit-to-dollar value of files, as well as the possibility of your credits expiring (it’s happened to me).
The new Shopping Cart Checkout at iStock now allows you to purchase stock images without having to first purchase iStock credits. When you add a file to your shopping cart, you will see the price in dollars and not credits.
[via iStockphoto]
Tour of Yuri Arcurs’ New Studio
Yuri Arcurs is one of the worlds’ top stock photographers – and he’s got the studio to show for it.
Editorial Images Now Available at iStockphoto
iStockphoto has now made “editorial use only” images available for purchase. Unlike the millions of other pre-existing royalty-free images on iStockphoto, the new editorial collection of images are strictly for non-commercial use and “are intended for use by news outlets, publishers, magazines, bloggers and presenters as a descriptive visual reference to a product, place, event or concept.”
Additionally, contributing photographers will generally not be required to submit a model release for editorial images, nor is there a need to remove trademarks or other branding from editorial images.
More details on the new editorial image collection in iStock’s press release below. [Read more…]
iStockphoto Now Accepting Editorial Image Submissions
iStockphoto is crossing over into the editorial licensing realm for stock photography. Rolling out in 2011, iStock will only be accepting editorial submissions for specific categories, such as products, architecture and landmarks, travel and lifestyle, social commentary, and urban living. iStock is expressly avoiding submissions for time-sensitive news and traditional photo journalism.
You can find a thorough review of the new editorial submission guidelines in this article on iStockphoto’s website.
iStockphoto Redesigns Website
iStockphoto has officially launched its website redesign. The new design offers a more modern appearance with improved navigation.
More details in the press release below. [Read more…]
iStockphoto Raises Photo Upload Limits
Last week, iStockphoto raised the weekly limits for photo contributors.
New upload limits for non-exclusive contributors:
- Base: 18
- Bronze: 20
- Silver: 24
- Gold : 30
- Diamond: 38
- Black Diamond: 40
New upload limits for exclusive contributors:
- Bronze: 60
- Silver: 90
- Gold: 120
- Diamond: 150
- Black Diamond: 200
Getty Images Launches ThinkStock Microstock Subscription Site
Getty Images has launched a new microstock subscription site called ThinkStock. The site is built around a subscription model for image buyers and pulls from Getty’s image libraries at Getty Images, iStockphoto and Jupiterimages. The flat rate subscription of $249/mo or $2499/yr allows users to download up to 25 images per day and 750 images per month on a royalty-free basis.
More details in the press release below. [Read more…]
Stock Photography Adventure Gone Awry
Image Credit: BVDC Stock Photography
Here’s a scary story that I received from Fotolia for all of you who brave the elements to get the shot… [Read more…]
Dreamstime Debuts Canvas and Poster Formats
Stock photography agency Dreamstime has added canvas and poster formats to its repertoire of products, thus increasing purchasing options for customers and additional revenue sources for contributing photographers. Prices for poster and canvas prints range between $13 and $80 for a 20″ x 60″ size.
More details in the press release below. [Read more…]