Photo preparation before uploading to PhotoLight
Every photo that is uploaded to the "PhotoLight World" website must comply with the following standards:
1. Resolution
2. File size
3. File type
Resolution
When uploading a photo, you have the option to resize it.
This option exists so that the photo can be viewed in full on most member screens.
This is a recommended option as otherwise members might end up scrolling the screen to view the entire photo. Every photo that is resized is reduced to 950 pixels in height or width (depending on the longest side).You could preferably resize the photo yourself as you can decide on its parameters - especially when it only takes 2 minutes.
The original photo can be seen only when selecting the photo itself on the background selection screen.
File size
The file size that can be uploaded per photo is dependent on your membership status
These are the file size limits (Max KB) per member status:
Beginner – 200kb
Intermediate – 250kb
Advanced – 300kb
Professional – 350kb
Silver Member – 400kb
Gold Member – 500kb
Platinum member – 600kb
File type
Any photo that is uploaded to the Site must be in JPG format.
Other formats will not be accepted.
The instructions below are recommended and are not mandatory.
In order that we can view a photo at its full size on the screen it must be minimized (if it is larger than 950pixles at its longest side. The easiest, fastest and most generally applied method for photos is to use Photoshop. Obviously there are many other methods which can be used with varying results.
However, the following method refers to Photoshop...
Sharpening before reducing the photo size
1. Use the Menu option - Filter Sharpen - Unsharp mask.
2. Enter in the following parameter values:
Amount = 100%
Radius = 1
Threshold = 1
3. Select OK.
Reducing the Photo size
1. From the menu select – Image - Image size
2. In the screen that will open Pixel Dimensions we will select 'Pixels'
3. Mack sure that the Check box 'Constrain Proportions' is checked and enter the Width or Height depending on the longest side of the photo as described above (950 pixels)
4. Select OK.
Sharpening after Reducing the Photo size
1. From the menu select Filter Sharpen - Unsharp mask.
2. Enter in the following parameter values
Amount = 20%
Radius = 1
Threshold = 1
3. Select OK.
Reducing the file size and saving it.
1. Select File - Save as
2. Enter in a file name
3. Select the Jpeg format
4. Select Save and an additional window will be displayed
5. In the window 'Jpeg Options' there are a few options. One of them is the 'file size slider', ‘Small file' is written on the one side and 'Large file' on the other.
Slide the slider to either side to attain the required file size which can be seen at the right side of the window. Please note that the Quality value should not be below 7 or the image will noticeably lose quality .
6. Select OK and we’re done!
Upload instructions
Now that we have set the photo to the required standards we can finally upload it.
1. Select ‘Add Photo’ from the main page or from your personal gallery.
2. The Upload file page will be displayed. Fill in as many details as possible as it will give the viewers more detail about the photo, and will also help in finding the photo by its different detail such as the key words, camera or lens types.
Step 1
• • • • Title: Please add a title that is associated with the photo. Viewers that search photos by title will find it much easier in this way .
• Description: In a few words, describe the photo itself. For example: what time it was taken at, the type of technique used, which processing the photo went through (if any), or anything that you might find informative or interesting.
• Category: Please try and select the best fitting category. Please do not assign a photo to a category to which it has no connection. There are a wide variety of categories so there should not be any problem placing the image into the right one. In a case where you do not know in which category to place the photo, add the photo to the ‘Miscellaneous’ category, or consult with a knowledgeable photographer or the site Category Administrator. Please note that the category administrator reserves the right to place a photo in to a suited category if necessary without prior notice.
Step 2
• Key words: These were created to help users look-up photos according to key words attached to photos. For example: if supposedly I photographed two cats gazing at each other, and you called the photo “love cats”, you could insert the key words: love, cat, cats. If there are other elements to the photo you may use them as well, even if they have noting to do with the subject of the photo.
• Camera: Please select from the dropdown list the camera that was used to capture the photo. (Please note that camera(s) may be added to the list from the list of equipment)
• Lens: Please select from the dropdown list the Lens that was used to capture the photo.
• Country that the photo was taken in: Select from the list of countries, the country where the image was taken.
• Name of the place that the photo was taken at: Name the place where the photo was taken. For example, Tel Aviv beach, Temple David Jerusalem.
• Photo properties: Select the EXIF details of the photo such as the Shutter speed, Aperture, ISO & focal distance. Other information can be added such as: was the camera on a tripod or not, was there a filter used?
• Background Color for the Photo: Please select from the spectrum of Black, grays and white for the background color of your photo.
Step 3
Filters:
• Hard to view photo: This option allows you to filter the image if you think that the image is hard to view.
• Comments tracking for this photo: Every time that there is a comment about the photo you will receive an email notification.
• Anonymous for 24 hours: This photo will be displayed as anonymous for 24H. When selecting this filter please also DO NOT set Comments tracking otherwise your name will display at the bottom of the page next to ‘Tracking for new comments’ and then it will be obvious to whom the photo belongs.
Comment settings:
• Without Comments: No one can add comments.
• Only Registered User Can Commen: Registered user can add comments.
• All Comments: Anyone can add comments.
Grading settings:
• Rating Off: No rating will be available for the photo.
• Without grade: Only T.A.O can be given.
• Without Rating T.A.O: No T.A.O can be given.
• All Rating: All the rating types will be made.
**T.A.O (Technical, Artistic, Originality)
Additional options:
• Use copyright: Adding copyright adds a copyright text line to your photo. Copyright can be customized here.
• Use frame: This allows the opportunity to add a border to your photo. The color can customized here.
Photo size:
• Keep the original size: Keeps the original size of your photo when uploading (please do not exceed 1500 pixels).
• Resize photo to 950 pixels: By selecting this option, the image will be resized automatically to 950 pixels at the longest side so that viewers can see the image in full without having to scroll the screen.
Step 4
After selecting all the required fields, select the ‘Browse’ button and select the photo that will be uploaded. Please take note of the photo size (kb).
Hit Enter and thereafter ‘Add Photo’.
Your photo will be uploaded and a screen will be displayed of its success.
GOOD LUCK!
PhotoLight World administration.
