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Microstock Photography Forum - General => Newbie Discussion => Topic started by: Red Dove on July 27, 2009, 14:53

Title: Sizing images for submission
Post by: Red Dove on July 27, 2009, 14:53
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 All sites as far as I can see require JPEG with a minimum size of 4 or 6 MB and 72 dpi (although I think that's out of date) and strictly NO up sizing.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.
Title: Re: Sizing images for submission
Post by: etienjones on July 27, 2009, 15:18
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 All sites as far as I can see require JPEG with a minimum size of 4 or 6 MB and 72 dpi (although I think that's out of date) and strictly NO up sizing.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.


Yes, that is fine. You have a 10mb camera so all is well.  Just remember to save jpeg at Quality 12 settings.  The file size in jpeg format depends on the image, on how much of the image consists of flat color, the more complex, the larger the file size.  And if you are a beginner don't get pixel dimension size mixed up with file size.  If you are not a beginner . . . . . sorry.

don't forget to change 350 to 72 for submission.
Title: Re: Sizing images for submission
Post by: Red Dove on July 27, 2009, 15:25
Etien. Your advice is much appreciated. I am a beginner as far as digital is concerned :P
Title: Re: Sizing images for submission
Post by: etienjones on July 27, 2009, 15:29
Etien. Your advice is much appreciated. I am a beginner as far as digital is concerned :P

When it comes to art we all remain beginners . . . . 
Title: Re: Sizing images for submission
Post by: Moonb007 on July 28, 2009, 16:37
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!
Title: Re: Sizing images for submission
Post by: merlinsman on August 10, 2009, 13:50
I'm also a total newbie. What color space should I use for my submissions? I edit in Adobe RGB (1998). Do I need to change to sRGB or some other space?
Title: Re: Sizing images for submission
Post by: Randy McKown on September 02, 2009, 22:21
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.
Title: Re: Sizing images for submission
Post by: disorderly on September 02, 2009, 22:28
Just to be explicit, the requirement is for images of 4-6 megaPIXELS.  That's independent of file size, which is measured in megaBYTES.  It's the nature of JPEG files that their size can vary quite a lot depending on contents, even though the pixel count doesn't.
Title: Re: Sizing images for submission
Post by: rene on September 02, 2009, 22:29
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.
Title: Re: Sizing images for submission
Post by: Moonb007 on September 10, 2009, 15:59
Just to be explicit, the requirement is for images of 4-6 megaPIXELS.  That's independent of file size, which is measured in megaBYTES.  It's the nature of JPEG files that their size can vary quite a lot depending on contents, even though the pixel count doesn't.

Yea, I think a lot of people get that confused.  I never downsize my images unless you don't want people to get the high res. image for a subscription sale like was Rene is doing.  If you are shooting with a 15MP camera you should not have to upsize to Alamy
Title: Re: Sizing images for submission
Post by: UncleGene on September 11, 2009, 09:37
If you are shooting with a 15MP camera you should not have to upsize to Alamy

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
Title: Re: Sizing images for submission
Post by: daz314 on September 28, 2009, 09:59
quick question    if you save on 12 in elements    , is this not considered upsizing ?
Title: Re: Sizing images for submission
Post by: ichiro17 on September 28, 2009, 13:25
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!

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. 
Title: Re: Sizing images for submission
Post by: juras1077 on August 05, 2016, 06:43
All files jpeg - srgb - 300dpi and what about bits per chanell 8 or 16 bits??? I'm doing tiff in 16bits postprocessing and then save as srgb 8 bits - is it ok?  - 8 or 16 for stocks?
Title: Re: Sizing images for submission
Post by: Jo Ann Snover on August 05, 2016, 07:16
ANCIENT THREAD ALERT

But what you upload should be an 8 bit JPEG. dots/pixels per inch is irrelevant. Most agencies can't handle anything but sRGB so it's a good common denominator
Title: Re: Sizing images for submission
Post by: juras1077 on August 05, 2016, 07:59
Ok thank You for info