Tecnical Requrements
File type
JPEG must be the format of the image and the compression, the lowest, so the photos can contain as much information as possible.
Color profile
Accepted color profiles are: sRGB, Adobe RGB, Prophoto RGB or P3. The profile must be embedded in the photo.
File size and dimensions
The weight of the file must be over 1.500 KB and its size must be above 2.000 pixels and below 8.000 pixels on any of its sides.
Metadata
All images must have the title and tags included in the metadata. The metadata must be in English and the titles of the photos have to be unique. Tags attached to the image must correspond to the content of that image itself and not other images that have been included in the shooting. More information: How to tag a photo?
Artifacts
Artifacts appear when an image is saved with a very low compression quality. In the examples below you can observe these artifacts as halos of light or flat color blocks. That is the reason why JPEG files must be saved with the lowest possible compression.
Noise
This happens when the ISO of a camera is raised. The amount of ISO that produces unwanted noise depends on each camera. In any case, images with a chromatic noise will never be accepted.
Sharpening
The use of digital sharpening should be reduced to a minimum. Abuse of the digital sharpening creates halos in the areas of high contrast. This excess of sharpening produces unwanted alterations in the image that will not be accepted.
Chromatic aberration
This is an optical distortion that can generate colored edges in areas of high contrast, usually magenta or green. This alteration can be fixed digitally during the editing process, but if it is not corrected, the photo will not be accepted.
Resize
Resizing images to meet the size requirements will not be accepted. This causes the reinvention of pixels and, as a consequence, it reduces the quality of the image.
Aestetics
Aspects to bear in mind:
- Less is more. We are looking for simplicity; one concept per photo is preferred.
- The white balance should be harmonious, without aggressive dominants.
- Avoid, unless for the purpose of the composition, cutting off people or objects on the edges of the image.
- The depth of field should always relate to the message of the photo.
- Ethnic diversity is always an added value to the photo.
Filters
Images that have an aggressive filter applied could be refused if this effect limits its later use. Filters must add to the meaning of the photo and not be the focus of the photo.
Vignetting
Vignetting occurs when there is a decrease in brightness around the edges of a photo. This can be easily corrected during the editing process or, if wanted, the effect can also be increased until corners become white. You can even take it further and make the corners appear overexposed. This kind of vignetting is very obvious and although it can add to the style of the image, excessive vignetting may be considered poor taste.
Dutch angle or tilting
Sometimes this inclination of the horizon can achieve an aesthetic value, but this is not always the case. Images that have been unintentionally tilted will not be accepted.
Electronic devices
If you are taking a photo of electronic devices, these must be updated or not have been on the market for more than two years. If it has a screen, it should show a photographer’s design or a flat color, mainly white or black.
Bad Practices
Repeated observance of these practices could have consequences and lead to the end of the collaboration agreement.
Repeated images
Images that have already been sent in will not be accepted, whether they were selected for publication or not.
Ethical issues
Photographs containing violent, pornographic or sensitive content that we consider could, in some way, offend our users will not be accepted.
Using models without releases
The photos which include other people who are not the models of the photo and do not have a model release signed with the photographer, will not be accepted. Any person that appears in the photo must sign a model release with the photographer where they consent the commercial use of the photo(s) for third parties.
Altered images
Images that have been rotated, flipped or reframed will not be considered or original and will not be selected.
Legal Issues and Rights
Model release
The release for each person that appears in the images of the shooting must be included as evidence of their consent.
Model release for under 18’s
The parents or guardians of models under the age of 18, must sign a consent release that is to be included in the shooting.
Property release
When the photo was taken on private property, a release must be included that authorizes the commercial use of the photos taken on the property by the owner. An example of this could be a zoo; photos can be allowed but using them commercially requires permission from the owner of the premises.
Animals
We accept photos of wild animals as long as these are not put at risk in any way. Images of domestic pets require a property release of the owner to use these for commercial purposes.
Money
It can be included as part of the image, but never flat, as if it had been scanned, and it should never appear whole.
Vehicles
Vehicles may be used as long as they are not the main element in the photo.
Isolated products
As a general rule, photos depicting an individual registered product, as the only or main element in the image, will not be accepted. Examples of this can be any electronic device, designer furniture or brand jewelry.
Logos and trademarked brands
Photos that contain logos or brands with Copyright will not be accepted. The only exceptions to this rule are social media icons.
Protected work
To make commercial use of a photo where copyrighted work appears as an important element, authorization is required from the author of the work. These are some examples of copyright protected work that requires permission for commercial use:
- Literary works (books, newspapers, catalogues and magazines)
- Artwork (caricatures, painting, sculpture, statues, architecture)
- Photography (photos, prints, posters)
- Maps, globes, navigation charts, graphs and technical drawings
- Advertisements, posters, signs and labels
- Moving pictures (films, documentaries and television commercials)
- Performing arts (dance, theatre, mime)
- Applied arts (jewelry, wallpaper, carpets, toys and textiles).