To Crowd Source or Not To Crowd Source?

Now that's a question...

Crowd Sourcing – Crowd sourcing is a neologism for the act of taking a task traditionally performed by an employee or contractor, and outsourcing it to an undefined, generally large group of people or community in the form of an open call. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crowdsourcing

To put this in advertising terms- Large corporations or companies asking designers to create completed works with the hope of a future payoff. For most of the designers contributing works of art designed specifically to the corporation's specs, it's an unrewarded competition as only one designer will become the winner and walk away with the prized paycheck. I see how corporations benefit from crowd sourcing: By getting a large group of hungry artists to develop an ad, logo, or marketing piece for free and only paying the one that actually wins the competition. The rest of the designers walk away with hunger pains and homeless works of art. Crowd sourcing nullifies the idea of proving your value to clients in hopes that they will come back to you for future works. Those clients will more than likely crowd source their next projects. I got a taste of this type of thing first hand. When I started out as a photographer, I worked with an up and coming agency (not to be named). As their client base grew and the work began getting noticed they became inundated with photographers looking to work with them. My good deal was about to come to an abrupt end as these photographers indirectly created a competition of sorts. The agency eventually wanted to see my portfolio and select the best artist for the job. When they realized they were my biggest client they asked me to cut my fees to do them a favor on a small project. Desperate to keep them as my account, I reluctantly cut my fees. Once I let the proverbial Genie out of the bottle, my fees never came back up to the original fees until after I quit doing jobs for them and was asked back by a former client to work on their specific project. There are many reasons why artists might choose to participate in crowd sourcing. They might be trying to break into an industry, attempting to create portfolio pieces, or just striving to stay creative and productive in slow times, as the idea of doing something has to be better than doing nothing all. While these might seem like good thoughts, the fact is there are better ways to make money and spend your time.


As in years past, artists today are getting squeezed due to bad economic times and crowd sourcing is taking today’s economy to another new low. Don't become a victim of crowd sourcing and walk away hungry. Use your talents to create pro-bono work for community and non-profit needs. Develop projects that you can be proud of for your neighborhood, community and portfolio. If you're looking to create revenue, create generic logos and designs that can be sold as stock. You'll get paid for your efforts and get your name and/or studio out to new possible customers.

Quick recap:
Reasons why artists participate in Crowd Sourcing:
Possible pay check
Ability to break into a new business
Stay busy in slow times

Reasons why not to participate in Crown Sourcing:
It’s a competition with no real winner; the majority of artists get nothing for their work
Damages your reputation: A client isn’t going to reward you with a new project
Time lost in creating artwork without the promise of payment


However you elect to work, consider a long-term plan.

Crowd sourcing is short-term thinking and your chances of winning the prize are slim to none.

Copyright Education

It’s come to our attention that several photographers do not understand copyright laws. So by permission from Cathy Aron, executive Director of PACA (Picture Archive Council of America), I have posted a link entitled Copyright Education on the PhotoSpin site. Our goal is to educate not only the photographers we represent, but all photographers interested in selling stock images commercially.

Here is one tidbit of info I feel is most helpful:

As a service, PACA members have compiled a list of properties and objects that may cause problems if shown photographically. Some of the properties and objects are alleged to be covered by trademark, others by contract (i.e. the terms by which a photographer was granted access to the property). PACA does not have a position as to whether the use (either commercially or editorially) is in violation of any applicable laws, but merely advises users to seek advice from their own legal representation to determine if any additional permissions are required under the circumstances. The list is not intended to be a complete listing of all subjects, but merely ones that particular members have brought to our attention.

The Cadillac Ranch (sculpture of Pink Cadillac sticking out of the ground like Stonehenge)

Interiors of the New York Stock Exchange (ok from the street), the Pacific Exchange, the Mercantile Exchange,
Commodities Exchange and Chicago Board of Trade

Rolls Royce car and logo/hood ornament

Disney's Epcot Center and Disneyland—including any depictions of the Disney characters

The Lone Cypress tree at Pebble Beach, California

Hollywood Sign

Mystic Marine Museum

Williamsburg and its re-enactment actors/performers

Newport Mansions

Coca Cola World

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

The Mississippi, Delta Queen and Natchez paddle steamers

Rockefeller Center – all buildings and sculptures

Olympic Athletes, Logo and torch

Hollywood Walk of Stars, Chinese Theater

Pro Sports teams and insignias

Maserati Car

Porche Car

McDonald's Arches

NASCAR images

Biltmore (Virginia house) and San Simeon Estate

Beverly Hills Sign

Busch Gardens

Sea World (Florida & California)

Universal Studios

Oscar Award Statue

The British Concord

The Louvre & I.M. Pei's Pyramid

Major League Sports

Indy 500 race

The Grand Ole Opry

The TGV (French high-speed train)

Chevrolet logo/hood ornament

Mustang Horse Logo

Thunderbird Logo

Barbie – the dolls, name and any product

Dartmouth College and the "tower"

San Diego Zoo

Eiffel Tower at night (the lighting design is copyrighted)

Japanese Bullet Train

Exterior of NY Stock Exchange (we have heard the exterior is now problematic)

Vehicles with recognizable designs (Jaguar, Porsche, Lamborghini, etc…)

Emmy and Grammy award trophies

Swan Boats in Boston's Public Gardens

The Flatiron Building, NYC

The Chrysler Building, NYC

The New Orleans Superdome

If you’re a working Photographer selling stock images I highly recommend you become a member of PACA. The information you’ll receive about the stock industry will more than pay for your annual dues.

Why, oh why did you reject my image??

Recently I’ve had several artists question why our rejection rate is so high with certain collections. The simple answer is: We have very high standards for what we accept and offer our customers.

It is important for all contributing artists to remember that just because they shoot a photo, it doesn't mean we will automatically post it. Our editors evaluate each image for quality and content before they accept an image to the site. Once the image is accepted and makes its home on our site, it is PhotoSpin's customers that ultimately determine the image's worth.

The following are simple tips to insure a more successful shoot and higher acceptance rate:

People shots:

*Do the models work together? Are you thinking ethnic diversity?
*What are you trying to say with your image?
*Does your model fit the theme of your image (sticking a crystal ball in front of a model doesn’t make her a fortune teller)?
*Does the wardrobe, styling, hair, and make-up work with your theme?
*Is the location and lighting appropriate for the situation? Try not to force a shot just because you have a model (i.e. don’t just stick a hat on your model and call it a graduation photo).
*If you are a product photographer don’t try to shoot people as a still life. They will look stiff and the photos will reflect it.

Food for Shots:

*Did you hire a food stylist to prep your image or are you just shooting what's in front of you? The photographers that are getting a higher return for their images are using a food stylist to prep their shots. Even a large restaurant chain will hire a professional to prepare their food for an advertisement.
*Are you using the right utensils, plates, and stemware that fit with your image (i.e. crystal stemware with a black tie dinner)?

Product/Still life Shots:
*Did you remove the labels?
*Consider the lighting: If you are using candles as a prop do not over light. Create a mood, not just record an image.
*If you are not a studio photographer don’t force it. Work with what you know. As you learn studio lighting then shoot for our collection.

These are just a few basic suggestions. Most importantly, remember who is using the image. Our customers deserve the best and we intend to deliver it to them.

For more information on becoming a PhotoSpin contributor please visit: www.photospin.com/contribute

Recession or Depression?

Depends on who you ask. Ask someone who is unemployed or about to lose his/her job the answer will light-years different from the person who is living large. No matter where you stand on the employment scale PhotoSpin offers a way for you to take control of your destiny and use your creative juices to help others: Our MySpin Directory.

Our Directory allows you to:
Advertise your talents www.photospin.com/directory
Create a free listing.
Create an ad and post it to the site.
Post your portfolio and showcase your talents.

What's more? If you're good with a camera and/or can illustrate, you can also post your work to our site and get paid for your downloads: www.photospin.com/contribute
We're growing fast and need your help to double our collection within the next few months.

So, go ahead and take control of your destiny at PhotoSpin.com

Happy New Year!

It's a brand-new year and we have some great opportunities for designers and artists at PhotoSpin.com

For the designer and image user, it's all about the images and we're adding thousands of fresh, new images per month from a talented group of commercial artists. In fact, we expect to double our collection by the end of the year. And if price is a concern, no worries, we are committed to holding down our low prices.

We didn't forget our contributing artists, either! We are now offering a 40% revenue split on all of our non-exclusive agreements.

So, stop on by and check out our new image collections: www.photospin.com You'll see why we've been leading the way in the subscription market since 1999.

Christmas? Bah Humbug!!

With the recession in full swing, our last minute shopping spree has us speed racing the driver next to us for that coveted parking space just so we can be the closest to the main entrance to our local mall. And, why do we do this? So that we can walk in to hear our favorite Christmas carols being played in the background of a crescendo of crying children being dragged from store to store by their overzealous parents looking for that perfect gift to place under the tree.

Sound all too familiar? Before your frustration and stress reaches its final boiling point, I thought I would share what our family is planning to do this Holiday Season: give a gift to someone in need. For the last few years we have stopped giving gifts to one another and, instead, gave a gift to a needy family or organization in someone's name. If you are so inclined, here is a list of charities you may consider supporting or, better yet, make up your own list.

The Salvation Army International Home Page
Contains information about the mission and work of The Salvation Army in over 110 countries


American Red Cross
Meets the humanitarian needs of the people in your area

Los Angeles Mission
Serves the homeless living on the streets of downtown’s Hope Central (known as Skid Row)

Feed The Children™
Helps poor, hungry and famine-stricken children worldwide


Children of the Night
Rescues America's children from prostitution

Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Los Angeles California
Grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions


Marine Toys for Tots Foundation
Donates a new toy or gives a donation to help make Christmas a little brighter for a needy child in your community

ShareFest Community Development, Inc. - South Bay, Los Angeles, CA
Creates lasting change in underserved neighborhoods and cities, serving residents and creates lasting partnerships and communities of care

World Relief
Responds to major disasters throughout the world


During the Holidays, take a little time out of your busy schedules to realize how truly fortunate you are.

I wish you all a Happy Holiday.

Jupiter has fallen from orbit

The sky is falling, the sky is falling, the sky is falling!!! Well it’s that time again when the stock photo industry is in an uproar over Getty’s acquisition of Jupiter images for 96 million dollars. To add insult to Jupiter's injury, Getty acquired them for less than a third of last year's asking price. Jupiter entered the market with lofty goals, spending approximately 200 million acquiring companies over the past several years.

With one of the heavy hitters striking out, what does it mean for the industry? Less choice, that’s a given. Currently there are two major players left, Getty and Corbis, and several smaller companies all competing for content and clients. Personally I see this as a great opportunity for the customer. Smaller companies, like PhotoSpin.com, take the time to offer a great service, quality images and attentive customer service. They not only want your business, they care about you as a customer.

With all the changes going on in the industry what will happen to the photographers? These are the individuals whose sweat equity made the product the stock companies sell. Sadly, many will get dropped. Some will be lucky to have their collections consolidated into other collections. But all will feel the impact. As a result revenue will drop for the photographer because there are less companies selling their images.

Jupiter may have fallen out of orbit because of their devalued market share, but the images you, the photographer, produced still have value to the client who needs them. Most of you will just need a new stock house before you’ll start earning the money you deserve. This is a great time to consider alternative image distributors like PhotoSpin.com. If you are looking for a new home for your images I encourage you to check out www.photospin.com

If you prefer not to have your images distributed through a subscription service then check out PACA ( Picture Archive Counsel of America) http://www.pacaoffice.org/ They have a list of agencies that will be happy to integrate your work.