425 million Google users get stock images for free. Photographers get $12. Once.

[inthesouthofireland]

http://www.aphotoeditor.com/2013/01/16/getty-hands-google-users-free-commercial-images-photographers-get-12/

Exploitation of stock photo contributors as such is nothing new, but it seems that Getty has now walked over it's contributors in a manner that is one step too far.
Contributors of iStockphoto are organising a mass deactivation of their images for February 2nd.

[Sareesh Sudhakaran]

Does their (the photographers') arrangement with Getty Images allow that?

[inthesouthofireland]

No. There could be a class action suit brewing.

[Rob C]

Well, you go into these dumb contracts with your eyes open.

All professionally taken images should have been pulled years ago, when this penny stock bullshit began. It's like all bullying situations: take it and you just get more of the same for your pains.

Rob C

[inthesouthofireland]

Hi Rob, I'm not affected. I'm not involved in microstock. I looked into it years ago and decided it wasn't worth the effort.
But I have been following the development in that field from the corner of my eyes.
This latest audacity from Getty might just mark the point where enough people may say "a bridge too far" and go elsewhere. Interesting times.

[TOlson]

People love to jump on this as a 'severs them right' microstock attack.  The truth however is, there is a ton of traditional RF stock in this deal as well.  John Lund has 17 for example, there is lots of images from Blend (trad agency), people who paid $50 to have their images in the Photographers Choice program on Getty had their images stuck in here.

There photographer got $12 and now the image is on Google Drive available to anyone for free.

Sean Locke made a nice overview about what is all going on here
http://seanlockephotography.com/2013/01/18/the-getty-google-drive-situation/

There is a massive thread on MSG about photographers planning to deactivate their portfolios on Feb. 2
http://www.microstockgroup.com/istockphoto-com/d-day-(deactivation-day)-on-istock-feb-2/

[DennisWilliams]

No one put your nuts in a vise and said comply. Do not shoot without being paid first. It really is that simple. If you shoot on spec that is your choice and if you shoot digital that is as well. Supply and demand does not cease to exist at the faux darkroom door. If what the folks with real money want is not you that's tough. Evolve or settle for 12 bucks. 

[Bullfrog]

Just when I thought the pond couldn't get any shallower.  That well has been drying up for years,  and its hard not to scream I TOLD YOU SO.  
While Getty's tactics are reprehensible, people are stupid and gullible and desparate. 


 

[iluvmycam]

Too many photogs and a glut of images for free...that is our reality.