difference between regular stock and microstock!

Gregor909 · #1 (**permalink**) 12-24-2006, 08:17 PM

Can somebody please explain to me what the difference is between regular stock and microstock, because I don't get it!
I was looking on the Getty website today, wondering what's the big deal of getting a contract there trough Istock!
I don't think the quality is that much better than microstock, BUT THOSE PRICES :shock: ,what the hell???
Compare this:

an image I made for microstock, people can buy the EPS file for one dollar :

http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-2281347.html

A simular image on Getty , EPS file 509,00 EURO!!!!!( what's that in dollars? 700?) :

http://creative.gettyimages.com/sour...e=on&chkNLM=on

Are we in the wrong bizness? Who is buying there with those prices? I don't get it.

thesupe87 · #2 (**permalink**) 12-24-2006, 08:49 PM

EPS - Scalable to any size $ 459.99 USD

Good lord, not me! I really haven't ever met any fellow designers who have paid this much for an image. Usually you can buy an entire collection on a CD for around $3-400. That's still becoming obsolete. Most designers have switched over to sites like iStock, Shutterstock, Dreamstime, and Fotolia.

Karimala · #3 (**permalink**) 12-24-2006, 09:05 PM

The biggest difference is that some buyers need rights managed images, or need images that won't be found in their competitor's advertising campaigns, so they are willing to pay the big bucks. Remember the recent articles about similar images appearing in competitors' ad campaigns?

But that's just part of it. Someone more experienced can explain the differences better than I.

I've seen Getty images on CNN, Oprah/Dr. Phil, and a number of similar TV outlets (Oprah also uses images from iStock and the freebie site StockXChang though).

Gregor909 · #4 (**permalink**) 12-24-2006, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thesupe87

EPS - Scalable to any size $ 459.99 US

So they'r rippin the Europeans of too!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karimala

The biggest difference is that some buyers need rights managed images, or need images that won't be found in their competitor's advertising campaigns,

Does that mean that when somebody buys that image, Getty removes it from their site and nobody else can buy it anymore? That explains it!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karimala

Oprah also uses images from iStock and the freebie site StockXChang though.

Operah uses SXC? She has billions and doesn't want to spend one buck?
Shame on you Operah! :lol:

Karimala · #5 (**permalink**) 12-24-2006, 09:55 PM

Yeh...I was really suprised when I saw SXC in the photo credits one day.

Here's the link...

http://www2.oprah.com/presents/2006/...end_main.jhtml

It's hard to see, but there is a photo credit link at the bottom of the interactive section. Under Patti LaBelle, you'll find a photo from SXC. LOL A lot of other images from IS, too.