Jump to content

Maximum file size


Recommended Posts

I know it's an old chestnut, and I'm pretty certain it was answered on the old forum, but what is the maximum size that a file can be for submission?

 

I've had a look through the submission guidelines above, and elsewhere, but can't find it (before anyone shoots me down in flames!).

 

I've got a feeling it's 200mb max.

 

Cheers, John.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

http://www.alamy.com/Blog/contributor/archive/2007/10/02/2258.aspx

 

says 25MB max for the submission jpeg - unless that is out of date?

 

I think you would need to save an image as big as around 100M pixels saved at max quality jpeg to exceed 25MB.

 

Out of date? It was posted in 2007, so I guess so. What every newbie needs to do is go to Alamy's "How to Submit Your Images" and read it all, front to back. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Firstly it is essential to distinguish between the pixel size of the file and the file size of the jpeg on disk. The Alamy guidance in relation to maximum file size refers to the latter (file size on disk) whereas the guidance in relation to the minimum file size refers to the former (pixel size). The pixel size is determined by, for example, checking the image size in Photoshop or can be calculated from the cropped file size dimensions in Lightroom (3 X width X height). The actual size on disk of a jpeg depends on the image content  -  images with a lot of detail are always larger than those with large homogeneous areas such as skies.

The guidance does seem to be somewhat out of date as, for example, uncropped files from the D800 are almost always greater than 25Mb when saved as level 12 jpegs. What was considered ridiculously large five or six years ago no longer seems so huge. Also panoramas are often over 25 Mb on disk.  

The 200 Mb Stokie is referring to is what I have found to be the limit for the pixel size of an image. Over that, they are automatically rejected by the system. Alamy does not appear to have produced any guidance in relation to this but that is what I have found in practice. Panoramas from the D800 can be well over that and I have had to crop and downsize to bring them under the 200 Mb mark.

 

I have never seen anything discouraging panoramas but I've had little success on Alamy with mine. It doesn't stop me producing them as I have other plans for my panoramic images. I may as well upload them anyway and hope for the best. I expect that a panoramic format is not the most suitable for many editorial uses which may be a factor. Other contributors may have different experiences.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Out of date? It was posted in 2007, so I guess so. What every newbie needs to do is go to Alamy's "How to Submit Your Images" and read it all, front to back. 

 

Hmm... took a bit of hunting but the only bit I found on the subject was http://www.alamy.com/contributor/help/image-submission-checklist.asp

 

which says "Maximum uncompressed file size of 200MB." 

 

Curiously the uploader checklist itself omits any 200MB max size checkbox.

 

The only other thing I have found on the subject is:

 

http://discussion.alamy.com/index.php?/topic/11-submission-guidelines-and-file-size/

 

posted in Feb 2013 which says "Remember, we do not want a Jpeg 24MB in size as that would be ridiculously large when uncompressed (opened)!"

 

I assume from MDM's previous comment about D800 images that this is not really a hard limit.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

Out of date? It was posted in 2007, so I guess so. What every newbie needs to do is go to Alamy's "How to Submit Your Images" and read it all, front to back. 

 

Hmm... took a bit of hunting but the only bit I found on the subject was http://www.alamy.com/contributor/help/image-submission-checklist.asp

 

which says "Maximum uncompressed file size of 200MB." 

 

Curiously the uploader checklist itself omits any 200MB max size checkbox.

 

The only other thing I have found on the subject is:

 

http://discussion.alamy.com/index.php?/topic/11-submission-guidelines-and-file-size/

 

posted in Feb 2013 which says "Remember, we do not want a Jpeg 24MB in size as that would be ridiculously large when uncompressed (opened)!"

 

I assume from MDM's previous comment about D800 images that this is not really a hard limit.

I am glad you found that mention of the 200 Mb upper limit. I saw that a long time ago but couldn't find it when I searched and had come to believe that I had imagined it. The system certainly does impose it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yes, thanks for that, CIM. 

 

Somewhere on the Alamy site is (or was) a downloadable app called "Alamy SizeCheck 2." By putting your jpegs in this app before submitting them you can check on the size, both compressed and open, the embedded and tagged color profiles and the dimensions. I hope it's still there. I use it all the time.  :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I know it doesn't really matter but I have been 'red arrowed' for posting my comment! Why? I don't know!

 

John

I noticed that but it's probably accidental. Apparently it is easy to do when using forum on a phone. I'll give you a greenie to counteract it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

I know it doesn't really matter but I have been 'red arrowed' for posting my comment! Why? I don't know!

 

John

I noticed that but it's probably accidental. Apparently it is easy to do when using forum on a phone. I'll give you a greenie to counteract it.

 

 You are probably right about using a phone - however, I was taking it personally!

 

Thank you for the green arrow!

 

Cheers, John.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 year later...

After two years I'd like to ask the same thing - what is actual max file size for Alamy? I find only old info and if I remember correct there were some changes last months...

I have panorama 14933px / 4126px which gives me 39 MB jpg and 347 MB tiff... Too big?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

200 Mb (pixel dimensions) is still the max size as far as I know so you would have to downsize your tiff. There is no punishment for trying to upload a file that is too large - the system will just reject it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.