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Photographers
Information
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Marine
Themes runs the worlds largest web based stock image library
dealing with all aspects of marine wildlife. If you have commercial
quality images that are relevant to our photographic niche
we encourage you to consider submitting your work to us. We
accept images from professional and amateur photographers
from all countries, no minimum number of images, no ongoing
submissions needed.
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What is Stock
Photography?
A
stock photograph is one where the right to use the
image is sold to another person or company for a specific
and stated purpose. The original photograph is never sold
so that the rights for a particular image can be purchased
many times for a wide array of uses. For example, a photograph
of a leaping dolphin may appear in a brochure for a dolphin
watch tour boat, an advertisement for an environmentally aware
corporation, on the packaging of a product or in an educational
book. All are distinctly different products but all use the
one image with the rights granted and fee paid for each use
being different. Many more future sales are possible as the
original photograph is not sold but is kept, like stock in
a warehouse, ready for the next order.
A stock library is where stock images are stored, catalogued
and then submitted to clients. A stock library receives requests
for images, compiles a suitable selection to fill the client’s
brief, negotiates the fee for use, invoices the client and
collects the negotiated fees. They also monitor unauthorised
use of images and pursue the collection of subsequent fees
and fines through the courts.
In fulfilling the above a stock library also acts as an agent
to the photographers whose work makes up the library files.
Photographers are paid a percentage of the net amount collected
from each successful sale.
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What
Marine Themes Offers
Unlike many stock libraries, Marine Themes offers a 50/50
split on all sales. We do not use sub agents so you always
get a clean 50% split. There are no fees to include your images
with Marine Themes. This includes images mounted in the web
database catalogue, CD-ROM catalogue, any printed catalogues
and is also free of all administrative costs. Just a straight
no frills 50% split on all net sales.
This
used to be the standard rate for all stock libraries but now
many are requesting 55-60% or more of the sales fee and also
charge additional fees for inclusion in web, CD or paper catalogues
so that the real split is effectively much higher in their
favour. Many libraries also pass on your images to other libraries
(sub agents) who may even pass them on to others, each taking
a cut of any sale as it is passed back to you so that you,
the photographer, often end up with a small fraction of the
net sale. Marine Themes does not use sub agents so your images
are only supplied directly to paying clients.
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What
We Do With Your Images
Images selected are colour corrected and optimised for use
on a printing press. These “master scans” are then
later sized to the exact dimensions required for client use.
Images of high resolution files are delivered via the internet.
The printer operator then adjusts our files slightly to suit
their unique printing calibrations then the images are printed.
The
master scans are also reduced in size and resolution for use
in the web database and CD-ROM catalogues.
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What
It Costs You
Nothing. Zip. Zero. If you send files via post or courier
you do have to pay for that but our services costs you nothing.
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What
We Need From You
We need RAW files from your digital camera (i.e. Canon CRW
or CR2, Nikon NEF, Olympus ORF, etc.). No jpeg files, no 8
bit TIFF files.
Raw files must be a minimum of 6 megapixel files, 8-14+ megapixels
preferred. We will accept 4-5 megapixel files in some circumstances
if the subject is rare or unusual.
A
RAW file is a digital record of the data collected from your
camera's sensor. You cannot turn an image in another format
into a RAW file. All cameras use RAW files, though some cheaper
cameras do not give you the option to save the RAW capture.
Check your camera's manual to see how you can save the RAW
image data.
We
also need caption details for each and every image. These
can be added to each RAW file. The information is saved in
a sidecar file with an .xmp extension. You need to include
the .xmp file with the RAW file so that we can transfer the
information into our database. You can also supply caption
information in an Excel file. Please contact us to receive
a basic Excel template.
Each
image needs to have a caption including the common and scientific
name of the subject (if applicable), a brief description of
any behaviour or other factors that are shown and location
where the image was taken. Photographs that are not of animal
species (i.e. scenics, people, boats, etc) should provide
a brief description of the scene or other relevant information.
The
RAW files can be delivered via a file transfer service such
as Pando, Dropbox or similar. If you prefer you can burn the
files to either a DVD disc or a CD burnt in a cross platform
format such as ISO 9660. Your CD burner will have that option
available in its software.
Scans
of 35mm transparencies made on 35 mm film scanners (such as
Nikon Coolpix, Polaroid SprintScan, etc.) or flatbed scanners
are not acceptable as they, despite the manufacturers claims,
are unable to produce the detail and file size needed for
commercial use.
Before sending any images please read the submission guidelines
below.
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Submissions
A submission is where you provide us with images for us to
consider for inclusion in the Marine Themes web database.
Only images appropriate for our specialisation and of suitable
commercial quality will be accepted.
For
your very first submission, please send by email a broad cross
section of your work. Around 20 images should be enough. Make
the files 600-700 pixels wide on the longest side at 72 dpi.
Save as jpegs at a medium setting (level 5 or 6). We can then
evaluate your work and send you further instructions along
with a copy of our standard contract.
For subsequent submissions, use a file transfer service such
as Pando, Dropbox or similar. You can burn the files to DVD
disc if that is your preference (we will not return discs
sent to us). Include full capiton details in the .xmp sidecare
files or in an Excel file as outlined in the "What We
Need From You" section above.
All
photographs which include recognisable people or private property
must be accompanied with a model or property release. Sample
property and model releases will be supplied on request to
photographers who hold a signed contract with Marine Themes.
If
you have images that are digital constructions or manipulations
please indicate in your captions that they are such. We certainly
accept constructed or manipulated images but we do need to
know that they are adjusted images for our filing system.
Obviously such images will not be in RAW format but we will
still need any RAW files from which your construction was
made. Please include those in your submission. Such files
must be made in 16 bit RGB mode and provided as such in TIFF
or PSD format. Please inlcude any layers you used in the process.
Please, no 8 bit files or jpegs.
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Film/Transparency/Slide
Submissions
We no longer accept slides/transparencies or colour negatives
for scanning. However, if you have a rare or unusual subject,
please contact us as we will provide high resolution scanning
for such images.
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If you have any questions check the "Frequently
Asked Questions" section or go to the "What
subjects are needed?" section for information on what
sorts of images are required and how to photograph them. Please
also feel free to contact us directly by email,
phone, fax or mail. Top
What
is Stock Photography?
What
Marine Themes offers
What
we do with your images
What
it costs you
What
we need from you
Submissions
Film
submissions
What
subjects are needed?
Frequently
Asked Questions (FAQ)
Contact
Details:
Marine
Themes Pty Ltd
marinethemes.com
info@marinethemes.com
142 Keon Street
Thornbury Victoria
Australia 3071
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