ArtQuests.net welcomes all experience levels of photographers and non-photographers, but reserves the right to decline images in its discretion, including reasons based on the following criteria (most common causes for rejecting a photo):

Technical Aspects:

Submit images with the highest resolution possible. We will automatically resize them for web viewing and the size (resolution) for purchasing selections. The minimum accepted size is 6.1 million pixels. We recommend submitting images of approximately 8 million pixels. Confirm that file format and image dimensions are within our guidelines.

• We only accept images in JPEG format (due to its high quality compression and lower file size). When submitting JPEG images, be sure to set the compression quality between 75%-85% (setting of 10 or 11 in Photoshop). To speed up uploading, you can choose to compress file(s) using ZIP compression utilities. A JPEG image that is highly compressed, re-sized, re-saved will degrade its quality.
• Our Rights-Managed images are in TIFF format (8 bits per channel). Tiff images are much larger with superior quality due to lack of compression.
• A digital image’s resolution is measured in pixels and represents the actual amount of data it contains. To set your images to a specific resolution, select Image>Image Size in Photoshop and enter 300 pixels/inch (most commonly used resolution for high quality printing). Be sure to uncheck the “Resample Image” before you click OK. When scanning prints or film use the dpi/ppi setting which gives you the desired image size (be sure not to exceed the maximum optical resolution of your scanner to avoid unnecessary interpolation which reduces the sharpness of your image).
• Use the color space that fits your own workflow. Color space settings are ignored when images are shown online. We accept only RGB images. All JPEG images are of 8 bits per channel.
• Up-sampling or Up-sizing Images Do not upsize your images higher than their native sizes, unless you are using professional interpolation software such as Genuine Fractals. Upsizing more than 20% is not advised.
• Do not sharpen your images. Sharpening is done during the final phase of production-before printing. Images with noticeable and excessive sharpening will be rejected.

Presentational Aspects:

• We do not accept images with borders, frames, or vignette.
• We do not accept images with text on them (watermarks, date and time stamps, e-mail address, etc.).
• Be sure to crop any white space that may result from scanning a print.
• We do not accept images with excessive artistic effects and any sort of artistic filters applied to them.
• Verify alignment of horizontal or vertical elements in images and correct any tilt-related problems. Rotate image as necessary prior to submission to ensure horizon line is not tilted. Apply perspective correction whenever appropriate.
  

Image Quality:

• Excessive Noise, Grain & Color Distortion We do not accept images exhibiting problems with noise or excessive grain. Avoid noise by shooting with lower ISO settings in bright light or use special noise reducing software or image editing techniques to correct noise. Higher ISO/ASA (400 and up) setting creates more noise than lower (100/200) settings. Noise is more common under low-light conditions, and in darker shadows.
• Dust & Debris in Scans Evaluate your image at the 100% magnification (zoom) with image editing software and look for any signs of sensor dust, blemishes, scanner or film scratches. Correct them with image editing tools before submitting to avoid images being rejected.
• Always have the main subject in sharp focus. Shallow depth of field can convey feeling of motion by blurring parts of the image while emphasizing its main subject.

Artistic Quality:

• Poor Composition Avoid cluttered composition or composition with no focal point.
• Ensure that your photos do not have flat, dull color appearance, or lighting is not too harsh and details in the highlights and shadows are not lost. Review the histogram to check exposure. Good lighting and exposure are essential for creating eye-catching images.
• Check for color cast and make necessary adjustments to achieve good white balance.
• Capture images that have certain dramatic effect. Lifeless, pointless and plain uninteresting images are not accepted.

Additional Restrictions Based on the License Types

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