MicrostockGroup

Dear Photographers, I haven't submitted a damned thing to any stock sites yet but I'm getting there. My stumbling block is the image size requirements. All sites as far as I can see require JPEG with a minimum size of 4 or 6 MB and 72 dpi (although I think that's out of date) and strictly NO up sizing.

Now, I shoot RAW and image size is 3888 x 2592 and when I convert to JPEG generally end up with a 6MB file at 350 dpi output. My question is, have you any tips about file size or have I got it right as far as Microstock is concerned?

Would appreciate your sage advice.

Etien. Your advice is much appreciated. I am a beginner as far as digital is concerned

Red Dove, you are good to go.  Just make sure as stated above to save at 12 image quality.  Unlike etien, I save all my images at 300 dpi sense that is what is used for printing.  Some sites, moodboard for example only accept 300dpi...but most will accept 72 dpi also.  Your shooting in RAW so that is also great, Alamy is the only site I have ever had to upsize a little for...only do this with RAW images.  Good luck when you start to sign up!

Yes you need to convert to sRGB. I stopped shooting in Adobe RGB a long time ago. Technically, it is better than sRGB but if you shoot it right in the first place you can't tell the difference. Plus when you get to the level where you are shooting hundreds or thousands of images everyday the simple click click convert ends up taking a huge chunk of time out of your workflow.

and on a personal note I hate the level 12 requirement .. it's a wee bit anal if you ask me. Try uploading a dozen senior sessions and 3 weddings to a true professional lab at level 12 and see what they say ... knock that crap down to 10 !! I suppose it's not a big deal to a lot of people but when you start managing a database of hundreds of thousands of photos it makes a huge difference. Maybe microstock agencies will catch on to that someday.

I upload original size files only to Alamy.
Downsized to 12mp to Istock, downsized to 3-5mp to the sites with unlimited (by size) subscriptions.
sRGB looks better on screen.

I think you are wrong. 15MP = 45000000 bits (in 8 bit file) = 42.9 - 45 MB (depending on how they calculate megabytes, there are variations) - anyway less than they want

72 dpi or 5000 dpi is meaningless.  If your photo has 2000x3000 pixel dimensions, your photo is 6MP regardless of the DPI.  You do NOT need to waste your time changing what the DPI is.  All the sites care about is that you meet the requirements for photo dimensions.  The site will automatically size the images for the screen and display purposes if accepted.