Alamy pictures help

Messiah Khan

Messiah Khan

Santa is your dad
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Name
Alasdair Fowler
Edit My Images
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Right, im getting some pictures together to try and get them submitted to Alamy. Im being very meticulous with the quality checking, im however stumped by the size thing;

JPEG’s saved at a high quality setting (i.e. Photoshop level 10 or above).
Alpha-numeric file names ending in .jpg.
RGB files, not single channel greyscale or CMYK.
Uncompressed file sizes of between 48MB and 200MB.
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Surely they're not after a >48MB .jpg:thinking: What pixel size are they wanting me to interpolate it up to? At the moment ive got a 2592x3872 (10mp) image which is a 28.7MB Tiff. So are they wanting me to get the .tiff file up to a minimum filesize of 48MB, then save it as a .jpg? If so, whats the easiest way of working out how big a file is going to be? And any tips or advice on submitting to Alamy would be appreciated.:)
 
Messiah Khan said:
So are they wanting me to get the .tiff file up to a minimum filesize of 48MB, then save it as a .jpg?
Click to expand...

Correct.

Assuming saving in 8bits...

RGB - so 3 channels per pixel

Each channel is saved in 8 bits (256 colours per channel)

8 bits = 1 byte

Therefore multiply your image size in pixels by three to get your image size in bytes. Then divide by 1024 to get KB and again by 1024 to get MB.

e.g. 10 million pixels is just under 30mb. :)

Sorry if thats not very good explanation - it's late!
 
LOL. I'm bleeding from the ears! :D Get your Tiff file size interpolated up to a minimum 48mb first. Now when you save it as a jpeg adjust the compression slider to a value of around 10 or a bit more. This will give a file size on disk of around 1.5 mb (ish)- it can vary quite a bit either way. That's the file you send to Alamy. The same file opened will be 48mb - or whatever size you upsized it too.
 
Remember Alamy will just be looking at the images at full size - 48mb+. Any dust goobers or upsizing artifacts and they'll reject the lot. The more you crop the original image the more difficult it is to reach the bar they've set. So have a good look at your full size images before you send them and make sure they have no upsizing artifacts - if in doubt don't send it. :)
 
Yeah, im trying to only use non cropped shots. Another question (told you there would be more) Do they care what dpi the image is set to? Im guessing now, so should I just leave it on 72?
 
I'd agree with Juan, I don't think it really matters but mine are set at 300 dpi which is what most printers print at.
 
I'd set it at 300DPI too. It technically doesnt matter, but better to be safe than sorry (make sure it's 300dpi with "Resampling" turned off, or it will resize it too).

Anyway, the 48meg thing has been explained so I'll leave that.

One thing I'll point out is what CT said. As it's your first 10 images, they'll be looking at them with some scrutiny. A goober or problem with one, and they reject the lot.

For your first 10, I'd suggest getting your 10 technically best photos. Dont worry if they're boring photos, as long as they are technically good, and have a possibility of selling. Don't worry about artistic content, or whether you like them, just technical quality ;)
 
Right, ive chosen 4 images of varied content and processed them. Do these look up to scratch? Ive been carefull to remove dustspots, so hopefully that won't be an isssue. Also am I foolish to use macro shots to enter Alamy? Is number 4 too soft at 100% crop?

No1. 800x600 version of full image (Full image upscaled to 5228x3500)
clematisstamensmallvz0.jpg

No1. 100% crop
clematisstamencropkm3.jpg


2. 800x600 version of full image (Full image upscaled to 3500x5228)
fieldofcloudssmallzw3.jpg

2. 100% crop
fieldofcloudscropqa7.jpg


3. 800x600 version of full image (Full image upscaled to 5228x3500)
puffin1smallyt2.jpg

3. 100% crop
puffin1crophe5.jpg


4. 800x600 version of full image (Full image upscaled to 5228x3500)
purplefiresmalldl6.jpg

4. 100% crop
purplefirecropia7.jpg


Thanks for any help and comments.:)
 
Did you use Bicubic resampling for these? What software? :)
 
Yeah, all are upscaled using Bicubic smoother in CS3. I did try using Genuine Fractals, but the reults came out worse than using Bicubic. The Process went as follows;

Shoot in 10Mp Raw on the D40x
Import into Adobe Lightroom and twek levels, saturation etc.
Export as .Tiff and open in CS3. Upscale using Bicubic smoother and clone out any dustspots. Sharpen slightly using highpass sharpening. Save .Tiff, and export as .jpg (full quality).
 
I would do all your adjustments, spotting etc then upsize.
 
The hoverfly looks rough at 50mb, but this is where I think Alamy have to be realistic and not take the view that a prospective client is going to want to print at huge poster size which is their typical stance.

Obviously if you filled the frame more with your fly then it would upsize better but you'd have huge DOF probs making it a totally different shot.

Tbh it depends how much common sense they apply when vewing the image, but for a first submission it might be risky. If it's any consolation, they rejected a couple of my bird shots initially. ;)
 
So would you say scrap the hoverfly, and dig out another one? How about the other 3? So I presume its ok to have several attempts at joining, ie they don't blacklist your name or anything? Out of interest, you don't happen to have the ones your used to enter Alamy do you CT? If so, could you possibly post one of them, including a 100% crop, so I can see what sort of sharpness I should be dealing with.:)
 
I've only gota few on Alamy but I've got a load I'm getting ready to send, I'll dig you out a crop in a mo.

I wouldn't send the fly although it's a sod I know. ;)

They don't blacklist you - you just have to do the intitial submission thing all over again.
 
This is a typical result for me and about as good as it gets with small birds.

The full file, which is also a crop to begin with

MK_file_to_go.jpg


And the 1:1 version at 50mb

MK_full_size.jpg


If you're not cropping you should have no probs reaching the bar really, but it does need to be a scrupulously sharp image to begin with. Don't sweat it too much - send the best images you can - see what happens. :)

Alamy say you shouldn't really crop to less than a 17mb image to upsize and I'd have to say below that it really starts to get difficult.
 
Imagine how big that file is and what would be a typical viewing distance for a full sized print - all stuff that Alamy really should be taking into consideration. ;)
 
Although some people do. Even if its just a 'little' sharpening.
 
Joe T said:
Just remember you shouldnt do any sharpening to images you send them :)
Click to expand...

Alamy guide said:
Sharpening should be applied only once and this is best done at the repro stage.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the help so far guys. Im going to change the hoverfly one, but how about the others? Come on, be as harsh as you like.:)
 
If you are not sure, then ring them, my Dad did and they were very helpful and were more than happy to explain the process they go through when checking pictures and how they decide on quality etc.

I will get him to post here to explain more on what they told him
 
that would be great ppp, been thinking about maybe submitting some of my pics to alamy myself...
 
Just had my first sale at Alamy clicky - the point being is that it was taken with a 300D (6 mega pickles) and viewing it at the upscaled size of 50mb is not for the feint hearted...:D.

And a splendid shot CT - lovely cusp of light.
 
PPP's Dad here - :) - I phoned Alamy and they were very very helpful. Really nice bunch.

Firstly the uncompressed image size needs to be 48mb or above which when compressed as a jpeg using level 12 will be about 10mb compressed.

If your uncompressed normal image is less than 48mb then the best software to use to upscale is Genuine fractals, especially if you are upscaling from around 6-12 mb original image size. If you are close to the uncompressed 48Mb size then photshop resizing is just fine.

Alamy then views your image at 100%. If you have the image opened in PS then zoom it up to 100% ( look at top of image for %). They then look at the image by scrolling through it at 100% looking for any marks, dust spots and overall image quality. If you do this before sending your image in all will be well. Be very self critical.

They are fine with tweaking of saturation and levels etc BUT NO SHARPENING at all. This takes a little getting used to as the image lacks punch on screen and it is really tempting to sharpen just a little! Don't do it.

It is best to turn off the in camera sharpening if possible.

There is a difference between an image which is soft 'cause it's not quite in focus and one which is properly focused and will sharpen up nicely when the client needs to do it.

Send anywhere between 20-30 on a disc or if you have access use the new upload facility. It does not make sense to send 3-5 images on a disc.

JPEGS's only

The review time is about 3-4 weeks 'cause of the volume they recieve.

If you get any images rejected, which I have on occasion, then a phone call helps to help you see what needs to be improved.

They are exceptionally helpful

Bye Bye from PPP's Dad

:)
 
Thanks for the help, suggestions and comments. Now for a drum roll....

Status: Processing - can take up to 25 days :) Ive chosen 4 of what I consider to my technically best images and uploaded them. Now its just a waiting game.
 
cool mate, good luck let us know how it goes
 
Congratulations! We have assessed Media Reference OL007785 and you have passed
your Alamy Quality Control test. Your images are now ready to be annotated
(including captioned and keyworded) in the "Manage my Images" section of "My
Alamy". You are now free to submit images as often as you like provided they
meet our technical requirements.
Click to expand...

:D
 
:thumbs: Result :thumbs:

Hope the money starts rolling in soon.

I really need to get of my butt and get some pictures worthy of submission :(
 
Congrats mate. Good feeling isnt it? It's like you're "In the club" now (No, not pregnant :razz: lol )
 
Chillimonster said:
:thumbs: Result

Hope the money starts rolling in soon.

I really need to get of my butt and get some pictures worthy of submission :(
Click to expand...

Yeah, I really could do wit hthe money rolling in about now. *Crosses fingers*

InaGlo said:
:woot: Woooo Hooo! :woot:

Congrats MK but must say Im not totally surprised by the result! :thumbs:
Click to expand...

Your too kind.:) You think I should upload that self portrait.:p

Marcel said:
Congrats mate. Good feeling isnt it? It's like you're "In the club" now (No, not pregnant :razz: lol )
Click to expand...

Cheers. It sure is a good feeling. My path to fame and fortune has begun.:thumbs: Now I just need to get my website up and running again, and try and market my more creative shots. Im going to see about trying to flaunt my work to the Durham Wildlife trust (As a lot of my shots were taken on DWT reserves). And theres also a North East magazine im going to try. On another good note.. I think my dad might have got me a quick photo job.. Photographing the texture of a PVC window profile :lol:
 
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