Dan Collier

Because is says Joy and fun !

Shutterstock beat them all for last 14 years that I started. SS 5 figures, DT 4 figures. the other 8 I have tried, less than 1,000 in 8-14 years. Not worth it with the tiny guys, unless maybe get it so it takes less than a 5 minutes of your time to upload and submit a dozen images. and don't dilly dally around. - Dan

Certainly better than it was 10 years ago !

Ok, I just read fotomak post - after I posted, I vote for this approach. Covers more variations that exist in cameras and lenses.

Try the - is there really a problem with camera test. Use a Tripod, release the shutter remotely or using timer and when it is not windy. (Learn to use a tripod correctly) USE Aperture Priority mode, F/8 and ISO 100-200 . Turn off all the fancy stuff, D-Lighting , Noise Reduction.. Turn off VR ( if Lens has and only when on Tripod) My photos are always sharp tack with above formula with my oldie but goody Nikon D-90 camera. Just Standard Nikon DX Lens 18-1-5 f3.5-5.6. And sharpest possible with my prime Nikon 50mm 1.8 (f2.8 is sharp on the prime) I tried two really cheap lenses, never sharp, they are gone now..

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-illustration/future-surreal-arch-over-calm-sea-363203117

Probably added more AI (Artificial Intelligence) to the process, using Machine Learning ⚙️- storing massive amounts of Neural Network data. Which means computers can can now make human like errors. Over time as humans correct the machine to make it smarter the quality gets better and SS saves more money📉, which I hope they will pass on to us contributors. 🤪

I like to work as efficiently as possible, it is just good business. Planning ahead to minimize the time processing and editing RAW. Shoot in sets, edit in sets and cross apply in sets, instead of one photo or image at a time. So for each environment shoot/set, carefully edit one image (crop, white balance, exposure-curves, noise etc).,. then apply across all the other images in same setting, using Light Room. "Being good in business is the most fascinating kind of art. Making money is art and working is art and good business is the best art" — Andy Warhol

4K getting better and cheaper to produce, and faster web and devices to play them on. My PC monitor is 4K, when you see great videos in 4K it becomes more noticeable - it is hard to go back. Then they will start pushing 8K

Well to look on the bright side, translations are getting better, so the world has become a smaller place with a greater number of potential buyers. Proud to be an Earthling !

Great new ! Thank you. The more languages the merrier 😁 Next maybe add Vietnamese and Laotian. Ok, Laotian maybe close enough to Thai.

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-illustration/future-surreal-arch-over-calm-sea-363203117

Work on keeping it very simple, strong composition and meet the buyers need. Then try something very different, new and fresh.