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Technical criteria
Alamy require your images meet the following specifications:
RGB files
The issue of colour management for digital images is complex. To simplify things, Alamy asks contributors to submit images in RGB format. This is because the CMYK format has a smaller colour space, and so contains fewer colours. Unless you have reason to do otherwise, set your RGB "Color Settings" to "Adobe RGB (1998)" on both a Macintosh and a PC - this has become the defacto standard for most imaging professionals.
Note: Single-channel grayscale files are NOT acceptable. As they only have one channel, they are one third the size of their three-channel RGB counterparts, i.e. a minimum of 16MB. You should either scan in RGB or convert to RGB prior to saving, to ensure the file is at least 48MB, uncompressed
JPEG files compression level 10 or above
Images must be set at JPEG level 10 or above prior to saving.
PC byte order
This is a true cross-platform format, and contains all of the original data.
Bit depth of 8 bits/channel
If scanning images, scan to the highest bit depth possible as this gives better tonal range. Convert to 8 bits/channel before sending the images to us as our upload system automatically reduces any 16 bit files to 8 bit.
48MB minimum uncompressed file size
We have imposed this minimum requirement to sell to the widest possible market. Note that images could be used for anything from a small web image to a giant poster.
- Note for images from digital cameras - We strongly recommend that images are captured on a digital camera capable of producing files of 17MB and upwards (6 megapixels). Please then interpolate the images to a minimum of 48MB using professional upsizing software. We recommend Genuine Fractals™, although other professional upsizing software is equally acceptable, including Abobe Photoshop versions 7 and CS/CS2 (if the bicubic option is used).
- Note for scanned images - Interpolation is not recommended as an alternative to scanning at the true optical resolution needed to achieve the required file size.
- Note about resolution - The resolution of a digital image is measured in bytes - or in our case - Megabytes. This is the only true measure of the amount of information contained in the image, i.e. its resolution. The actual dpi/ppi is not important in itself - only the file size matters.
Optional IPTC headers or ‘File Info’
If your images have IPTC information embedded in them, Alamy will only import the ‘Caption’ and ‘Keywords’ IPTC fields - no other IPTC fields will be imported.
Note: Photoshop ‘Caption’ field matches the Alamy ‘Caption’ field unless it is larger than our limit of 128 characters. For photoshop CS/2 the description field matches to the Alamy caption field.
Alpha-numeric file names ending in ‘.jpg’
File names should contain no special characters, but should be named according to your own filing system. This will help you find your images once they are online. You can set up Photoshop to automatically add the ‘.jpg’ extension by going to Photoshop > Preferences > File Handling > File Saving Options and select Append File Extension “Always”.
Supplied on CDs or DVDs
Please set the file system to ISO9660 before writing the CD or DVD (we can also accept UDF format for DVDs). Please write DVDs at slow speed; it’ll take longer, but reduces errors.
CDs/DVDs must be clearly marked
Clearly write your name and email address on the CD/DVD, using a permanent marker pen such as the Staedtler Lumocolor Permanent. Do NOT use any stickers or labels.