processing for stock - DPChallenge Forums

02/07/2008 05:47:45 PM · #1

should i process my images for istock im going to upload some test images for approval and im unsure whether to sharpen or tweak the colours in acr can anyone suggest what i should do?
//www.itchphoto.com

pineapple

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

02/07/2008 06:04:42 PM · #2

My cheap advice worth nothing at the exchange rate of USD to GBP:

- look at each image you intend to submit at 100%, all over
- make 100% sure there is no sensor dust spots showing
- if the images are noisy, then reprocess using much less sharpening. Typically I use either no sharpening (with my 5D) or one pass of sharpening at 0 0.3 100 settings
- if the image is noisy or has artifacts - then reduce the size to 3800px on the longest side. Downsizing helps.
- if you're boosting saturation, look at the blues especially to make sure there is not too much in the way of artifacts
- check by swinging the levels bar from side to side that there is no posterization going on
- use of noise reduction software usually downgrades an image. Avoid it or use it on portions of the image as needed - such as sky.

- check your expectations before submitting. How about Alamy? Art images are appreciated at iStock but sometimes don't sell too well. But whatever people say about microstock, iStock is a very good outlet for sales of images that would otherwise be doing nothing and in fact one can make a good business out of it. Good luck.

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

02/07/2008 06:32:14 PM · #3

most of my images are art led... i like to use pretty heavy processing.... take a look at my site, do you think alamy would be a viable option to sell my work..?? btw thanks for the tips that helps but now im in a quandry on which site to use... do any of them have automatic picture uploaders like flickr??
//www.itchphoto.com

TCGuru

Canon EOS-40D

02/07/2008 07:42:44 PM · #4

From Alamy site:

We reject images for (Show all):
Camera shake
The image is blurred or soft because the camera moved when the picture was taken. We reject images with this characteristic if we feel it was not artistically intended or it is unsaleable. Try using a faster shutter speed, steady hand, or a tripod.

Colour cast

Magenta colour cast
Click for high-res versionThe image is tinted with an unwanted colour caused by incorrect white balance on your camera or scanner. Calibrating your monitor regularly can also help prevent colour casts. Although some colour choices can be seen as artistic, we will reject an image if we feel its colour cast makes it unsaleable.

Compression artifacts

Compression artifacts
Mouseover to see red area at 100%
Click for high-res versionThe image has a blocky or patchy appearance caused by excessive compression. It is particularly noticeable in areas of flat colour such as skies and can appear as Jpeg "bubbles" around the edges of the image (see example). To minimise these artifacts work on your images in RAW or TIFF format and save as a Jpeg once only.

Data loss or corruption

Data loss or curruption
Mouseover to see red area at 100%
Click for high-res versionThe image shows areas of subtle pixilation or zero data. To reduce the risk of this problem burn your CD or DVD at the slowest speed possible and make sure it is verified. Also check the first and the last few images on the disc for problems, as this is where most occur.

Digital camera not suitable for Alamy (pro level 6 mega pixels)
The image shows a number of problems such as intrusive coloured (chroma) noise, degradation of image detail or interpolation artifacts. The image is from a digital camera which is below our recommended specification: a pro-level camera with a â��trueâ�� (non-interpolated) resolution of at least 6 megapixels. This will give a file size of at least 17MB at 8 bit. For more information, please see images from digital cameras.

Dirt, dust or other blemishes

Sensor dirt
Mouseover to see red area at 100%
Click for high-res version
Dirt and scratches
Mouseover to see red area at 100%
Click for high-res versionSmall dark circles on the image are a common characteristic particularly noticeable in areas of flat colour such as skies. To reduce the risk of this occurring, clean your cameraâ��s sensor or the material you intend to scan. You can also remove unwanted marks using the healing brush or clone tool in Photoshop.

Excessive sharpening

Excessive sharpening
Mouseover to see red area at 100%
Click for high-res versionThe image appears â��edgyâ�� or unsightly artifacts are visible. Sharpening should be applied only once and this is best done at the repro stage.

Excessive similars
A series of similar images which have almost identical compositions or only slightly different exposures. We will only accept a series if the images have very different angles, framing or modelâ��s expressions etc. However, you must tightly edit your images otherwise they will appear further down search results. Customers do not want to spend time editing through your work.

Film rebate visible or not cropped

Film rebate visible or not cropped
Click for high-res versionWe do no accept any images with borders, whether they have been deliberately been put there or are from film scans. These must be cropped out.

High contrast

High contrast
Mouseover to see red area at 100%
Click for high-res versionThe image highlights are blown out and shadow detail is crushed.

Interpolation artifacts

Interpolation artifacts
Mouseover to see red area at 100%
Click for high-res versionThe image exhibits rather intrusive artifacts and degradation of detail resulting in an overall soft look, a â��mottledâ�� texture or "jaggies" on edges. These symptoms occur when you interpolate an image beyond the capabilities of the camera from which it came. Our advice for images from digital cameras may help you track down the problem.

Newtonâ��s rings or interference patterns

Newtonâ��s rings
Mouseover to see red area at 100%
Click for high-res versionThe image has a circular â��rainbowâ�� effect caused when scanning film. The scanning light reflects off of millions of small moisture particles on the surface of the film or glass carrier. Try to clean dirt and moisture off the film or carrier before you scan. The â��Fineâ�� setting in digital ICE can also cause this effect.

Noise

Noise
Mouseover to see red area at 100%
Click for high-res versionChroma noise gives a mottled, distorted effect that usually contains green and pink/purple colours. It can particularly cause problems on skin tones, skies and shadow areas. Electronic chroma noise is the appearance of distortion within a digital image usually caused by using high ISO levels when shooting. Different cameras are better at reducing the appearance of noise than others, but you should always try and shoot on as low an ISO level as possible.

Noticeable retouching

Noticeable retouching
Mouseover to see red area at 100%
Click for high-res version
Noticeable retouching - cut out
Mouseover to see red area at 100%
Click for high-res version
Retouching is obvious in the image. We recommend that you retouch at 100% and double check to ensure that it is not visible. 100% or 1:1 means one screen pixel displays one image pixel. Also retouching at more than 100% is problematic as the image is too enlarged to see any image detail or mistakes.

Orientation
The image is not the right way up for viewing on a screen. It may be inverted, upside down or at an angle.

Out of focus
We will reject an image if we feel that is not artistically intended to be out of focus. Also, it must look out of focus at thumbnail size so that it is obvious to our customers.

Over manipulated

Over manipulated
Mouseover to see red area at 100%
Click for high-res versionThe image is clearly over manipulated. Examples are the excessive use of â��levelsâ�� or â��curvesâ�� which leave an image looking posterised, â��blockyâ�� or with distorted colour.

Poor exposure

Poorly exposed image / histogram
Mouseover to see correct exposure
Click for high-res versionThe image appears rather flat or washed out. Correct exposure ensures maximum tonal range in an image. You can check and adjust the exposure using the histogram in Photoshop (Under Image > Adjustments > Levels).

With very few exceptions, we expect the black point of your images to be 0 and white to be 255. However, we will accept images where they are within 5% of this, i.e. Black at level 12 or below, white at Level 243 or above.

Scanning artifacts

Scanning artifacts - banding
Mouseover to see red area at 100%
Click for high-res version
Scanning artifacts - double edging
Mouseover to see red area at 100%
Click for high-res versionCharacteristics include double edging, stripes or banding, particularly noticeable in shadows. For more scanning advice visit images from scanners.

Size (uncompressed file sizes are under 48MB or exceeds 200MB)
The uncompressed file size of the image is under 48MB or exceeds 200MB (a compressed file size of around 20MB). Based on our experience of customer requirements and to give you access to the largest possible market you must supply file sizes of at least 48MB. For more information, please see images from digital cameras.

Soft or lacking definition

Soft or lacking definition
Mouseover to see red area at 100%
Click for high-res versionThe image may appear soft and/or lacking definition because:

it has been interpolated beyond its limitations (i.e. if camera used is â��not suitable for Alamyâ��)
of over use of software to remove blemishes, dust or scratches such as â��Digital ICEâ��. Try to use it selectively and sparingly taking care not to degrade the image to an unacceptable degree. Many of these techniques work by softening the image.
the scanner is poor quality. A scanner should have good quality optics and you should use a designated film scanner for 35mm negatives for best results. For more information visit images from scanners.
the camera lens is poor quality, affecting the clarity of an image.
Unsuitable material
Although the technical standard of your work maybe be fine, certain material is not suitable for our target market. This includes, but is not limited to glamour, pornography and images which infringe the rights of any third party. If you shoot this type of content you may have more sales success from an alternative outlet.

Message edited by author 2008-02-07 19:43:46.

02/07/2008 07:59:57 PM · #5

comprehensive!!!

pineapple

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

02/07/2008 09:05:40 PM · #6

Actually, I did look at your site and gallery before making the notes above ;-) That's why I mentioned art in my spiel. iStock is a good place to spend time and do some research on what is actually selling and has sold. One can learn a lot about the stock marketplace from iStock.