1.0 - Quality Standards
Maniki S.A. welcomes all experience levels of photographers and non-photographers, but reserves the right to decline files in its discretion, including reasons based on the following criteria:
::Poor Focus
::Poor Lighting
::Excessive Noise, Grain & Color Distortion
::Compression Artifacts
::Over Filtering
::Poor Isolation & Cropping
::Dust & Debris in Scans
::Upsampling or Rezzing up Images
::Poor Composition
::Inappropriate Title or Description
::Copyright / Trademark Infringement or Risk
::Adult Content unsuitable for Maniki S.A.
::Profane or Violent Images
1.1 - Quality Standards : Focus
Motion Blurs: Motion blur is achieved by lowering the shutter speed, (1/4 to 1/15 sec) on your camera, to capture movement. The keys are intention, effort and composition. As stated on the Needed Files page, Maniki S.A. has reached its limit of blur abstracts; unless an image is unique and high resolution, we are not accepting any more of this category.
Do Submit:
-Motion blur that demonstrates movement
-Composed light blurs
Do Not Submit:
-Blur abstracts
Soft Focus: Soft Focus is the effect of bending light areas with soft blurring while still maintaining the quality and detail of the image. Images that have lost detail in appearance may be declined or subject to a lower rating based on the overall quality and composition of the photo. "Soft focus" and "slightly out-of-focus" are not the same thing, and the latter will be declined.
Camera Shake: Lower shutter speeds do not freeze action as higher settings, and make your camera more sensitive to movement (an unsteady hand, for example) while taking a photo. Using a wider aperture (lower "F" number) can allow you to shoot at a faster shutter speed, as can using a higher numbered ISO/ASA (film sensitivity). The drawbacks of these solutions are that a wider aperture will cause a more shallow depth of field (DOF), and a higher ISO may cause more grain/noise. The best solution for camera shake is to use a tripod and remote trigger. If you are in a pinch try using both hands and leaning against something grounded. Camera shake can often happen with digital cameras and also specific lenses.
Tips:
::For blur effects always keep intention, effort and composition priority
::Blur effects are seldom effective if applied to the whole image
::Blurring should never compromise the quality of the image
::Use a tripod & remote trigger to avoid camera shake
1.2 - Quality Standards : Lighting
Lighting is one of the most important aspects of photography composition. With the rise of digital cameras and the electronic flash, quality in this area has diminished, replaced by the convenience of the "snap shot". The disadvantage of relying on the built-in flash is that its close location to the lens can cause severe shadows and unsightly reflections on shiny surfaces. When shooting stock photography, put priority in the balance of light in your image (to avoid the technical errors below).
Do Not Submit:
-Reflections
Possible Solution: Distance yourself further from the object, or use natural or additional light sources, don't rely on the built-in flash. Use a diffuser for flash units.
-Harsh shadows
Possible Solution: Bounce the flash, (from a wall for example), to even out lighting, or place wax paper over the flash to soften shadows.
-Underexposed
Possible Solution: Decrease shutter speed or increase aperture size to let in more light.
-Overexposed
Possible Solution: Increase shutter speed or decrease aperture size to let in less light.
-Lens flares
Cause: Recorded light refractions from direct light sources in the camera lens.
Possible Solution: Avoid pointing the camera directly at light sources (to reduce reflections within the lens), or lower the aperture to reduce reflections.
-Spot edit problem areas with a cloning tool.
-Purple fringing
Cause: Commonly a problem of digital cameras when shooting in low light settings against high contrast borders, causing a purple, (or other hue), glow around edges. The issue can also be affected by lens model and focus quality.
Possible Solution: Adjust aperture settings to a higher level, (f4 and above) to balance light.
Tips:
::Keep in mind great lighting doesn't have to be expensive
::Use bleach white cloth, paper or cardboard to photograph isolated objects
::Use wax paper in front of the flash to subdue shadows
1.3 - Quality Standards : Noise & Color Distortion
Digital Noise & Color Distortion: Image noise is the variation of values in the detection process of your camera. Noise and color distortion (or digital noise) occurs most frequently in uniform color areas (i.e. skies and shadows) and is caused by temperature and/or sensitivity/ISO settings. With increased sensitivity, more light is required to avoid producing noise. With long exposures, cameras can also produce a different category of noise called hot pixels (stand alone color dots/pixels).
Noise Correction: The key to noise reduction (by either spot editing or noise filters and programs, such as Neat Image and Noise Ninja) is to correct the problem areas without affecting the overall quality and detail of the image. Freeware programs tend to produce lower quality results by creating a blanket "watercolor" or blurred effect and can also have limited settings for saving in highest quality.
Compression: The JPEG file format uses a "lossy" compression method, in order to make the file smaller information is thrown away, or lost. The "quality" setting that most image editing programs and digital cameras have when saving JPEGs determines how much information is lost. At a certain point, with lower quality settings, the removal of information during the compression process can become visible in the form of compression artifacts (places in the image where too much detail has been lost). Too much JPEG compression can become visible either in the form of a general loss of detail, or grainy/patterned areas (especially in flat spaces, such as skies).
Artifacting: Compression artifacting can be introduced by the camera and/or by your image editing software at lower quality settings. Also, re-sizing, re-sampling, and re-saving can all degrade the quality of a JPEG image, so one should be careful about re-saving JPEGs. If for example, a photo was re-saved 4 times (even at a quality of "12" or "Best") the image quality will become worse and worse. With this in mind, it is obviously best to start with the leanest image possible. You may want to double-check your camera settings to make sure it is saving at the highest quality.
Do Not Submit:
-Noise (and pixel/color distortion)
Possible Solutions: Adjust the ISO settings of your camera to 200 ISO or slower. Alternately, use slower speed film (25 to 200 ISO) for the least amount of
-noise and/or film grain.
-Compression (*jaggies)
Possible Solutions: Save your original image at a higher quality level (9-12 is optimal). Also, re-sizing, re-sampling, and re-saving can all degrade the quality of a JPG image, so one should be careful about re-saving JPGs.
* "jaggies" are large square patterns in the image.
Tips:
::Always save images at 100% quality
::Some images have too high levels of noise to be corrected by noise filters/programs
::The higher the ISO setting the more light needed to avoid noise
::Some post editing programs can create noise once resaved
::Every part of a photo needs a different amount of adjusting to get rid of noise, etc.
::Post edit images in TIFF (or PSD) format to avoid compression
1.4 - Quality Standards : Over Filtering
While it has been argued whether photographers should post-edit their photos or leave that to the designers, some images can benefit from touch-ups to grab more viewers attention. Whether you are cross-possessing colors or applying filters for desired effects, the end result should be a photo that can still be molded into a design. There is no definitive line to what editing makes or breaks a great images, but inspectors judge images based on quality, composition and usability.
Do Submit:
-Cross processed colors Grayscale & sepia versions
Do Not Submit:
-Simple one process filters, such as cutout.
-Overly high contrast that compromises image quality
Tips:
::Edit stock photos with the designer in mind
::Filtering should not compromise image quality & detail
1.5 - Quality Standards : Isolation & Cropping
Shooting objects on white backgrounds, manually removing backgrounds and including clipping paths can be some of the most useful images to designers, as they are easily placed and manipulated for designs. However, for a designer to have to knock out a shag carpet can be a nightmare, and will likely affect downloads and the composition quality of images.
Do Not Submit:
-Jagged edges Extreme feathering Distracting Shadows
Tips:
::Keep edges clean and smooth, but avoid excessive feathering or jagged edges
::Don't rely on Magic Wand to cleanly removed backgrounds
::Don't rely on built-in flash to illuminate backgrounds, it will likely create harsh shadows
::White and black are the most useful colors for isolated shots
1.6 - Quality Standards : Scanning
Artifacts: Both high and low end scanners can produce imperfections or streaks into images, which can sometimes only be visible when the file is reviewed at 100% or printed. In this event, try rescanning the image, or you may need to upgrade your scanner.
Noise: Occurring most frequently in low light or shadows, commonly due to the quality of the scanner. Sometimes the problem of noise can be corrected by a noise reduction program.
Drum Scanning: For the highest quality scans there is no substitute for the drum scan. This specific type of method is a varied process from average desktop scanners, by working with transparencies and negatives against an acrylic drum to capture the finest detail at high resolution from the original image.
Over-Sampling: Oversampling is the process of a scanner scanning an image multiple times then combining the data to average differences. The benefit of this is cleaner scans especially in low light and shadow areas. This feature is offered by most high end scanners, but if you do not have this option you can manually scan the image multiple times with different tonal ranges, then post process the images together experimenting with blending and opacity settings.
Do Submit:
Original : Cleans scans, visible film grain acceptable
Do Not Submit:
Scan that appear fuzzy/out-of-focus
Scans that have visible dust, hair &/or scratches Scans with noise distortion
Thing to consider when buying a scanner:
::Resolution, (optical at at least 2,700 ppi)
::Maximum density, (quality of scan transparencies, optical 3.6)
::Quality of film carriers
::Driver interface
::Over-sampling, (to minimize unwanted noise & artifacts)
::Automatic dust removal
Tips:
::Keep scan beds spotless to avoid dust and hair showing up in your images
::Allow scanners to warm up for at least five minutes to get the best quality
::Use film speed under ISO 400, (100 being optimal) for quality scans
::Do not submit scans of 4x6 prints to Maniki S.A.. 8x10 prints (particularly b&w) may be acceptable
Film Scanning Services
To simplify the process for our film photographers, Maniki S.A. offers you a very reasonably priced scanning, retouching and keywording service. Although these images will still need to go through the standard approval queue, they will be processed with professional drum scanners and experienced image enhancers.
1.7 - Quality Standards : Duplicates & Multiple Angles
Variety has its place, but limit your series to the one best angle, rather than uploading 10 images that appear identical at first glance. Image series that appear too similar will possibly by declined by inspector review.
Do Submit:
A black and white version
Do Not Submit:
Multiple color versions and Similar angle series
2.0 - Nudity
Maniki S.A. does accept artistic partial and full nudity stock photography, reserving the right to decline files if the subject and composition is considered pornographic, obscene, or otherwise unsuitable to the Maniki S.A. collection.
Nudity Filter: Due to request, an "adult content" filter can be activated through your profile to remove potentially offensive images from your search results.
Maniki S.A. defines adult content as "language or material that, in context, depicts or describes, in terms patently offensive as measured by contemporary community standards for publishing medium, sexual or excretory organs or activities." This includes patently offensive sexual or excretory references that do not rise to a level of obscenity.
Filter On:
::Exposed genitalia, pubic hair, female nipples
::Partially exposed genitalia, pubic hair, female nipples
::Sexually suggestive and potentially offensive subjects
Filter Off:
::Underexposed genitalia and nipples
::Non-sexual partial nudity
3.0 - Image Requiments
Image Size: Maniki S.A. accepts files 1600 x 1200 pixels or larger. Any file smaller than 1600 x 1200 pixels will be declined. As a rule for image sizes, the bigger the better. Maniki S.A. will not accept files that have been up-sampled / rezzed up, (increasing the size / dpi to be larger than that of the original file size).
File Formats: Maniki S.A. accepts RGB, JPG files only. TIF's, PNG's, PSD's will be declined. CMYK images will also be declined.
4.0 - Needed Files
Take a quick look through the site. We get a lot of certain types of pictures. There is nothing wrong with these pictures - we just have a lot of them.
Provide something more unusual - or sought after - and it might make the most downloaded page.
Do you need a particular image or video? Post your requirements in the Request Forum!
Here are some of the files that we do and don't need. Please note that this is not a definitive list, and our inspectors may reject photos at any time if they feel we have enough of a particular subject.
Images that Maniki S.A. does need:
::Corporate shots - Everyone looks a little more handsome when a suit's involved.
::Groups & Teams - One person is great, two, three, four… just gets better and better.
::Concept Stock - Leave it to others to shoot the obvious.
::Sports - Cycling, ping pong, soccer, skateboarding, kung-fu, bocci ball, the list goes on.
::Rare Artifacts - The more rare, the better.
::Holiday & Seasonal Themes - Christmas, Valentines, Easter: don’t wait until the last minute.
::Fashion - Leave the jeans behind, unless they're couture...
::Analogue and Grunge - Intriguing textures, effects, & treatments – not for the amateur of style.
::Food and Beverages - Preferably with someone holding the edible item.
::Flowers
Images that Maniki S.A. does not need:
::Your dog or cat - He's adorable. Send a picture to your mom.
::Photos of your feet, socks, etc. - Try looking up with your camera instead.
::Your immediate environment - Get up, move around a little. Keyboards, mice, cables, compact discs, floppy discs and monitors are covered.
::Light Blurs - Great for fun and experimenting...
::Brick walls - The Wall came down in 1989. Get over it.
::Close-ups of fire - It's for your own safety.
::Close-ups of eyes - They scare small children.
::Symbols (!$%@) - You see it in every e-mail.
::Airplane Wings (& out the window shots) - In the end, they seem to all look the same.
::Your Shadow - Try another route of dodging the model release.
::Overly simple 3-D & Bryce renderings & Photoshop backgrounds - Challenge yourself a little.
::Photoshop Backgrounds - Fun to experiment, but they're not quite stock.
::Overly simple text - Let people pick out their own fonts.
5.0 - Trademark, Copyright & Protected Items Training
Maniki S.A. makes every effort to conform to International copyright legislation and other applicable law, with our principal jurisdiction in Dominican Republic.
Uploading someone else's photographs or artwork is strictly prohibited and a violation of the Maniki S.A. membership agreement, the Artist's Supply Agreement, and other applicable law. You must be the copyright holder (original artist) of every image you submit. Uploading any of the following is strictly prohibited and may result in a lifetime ban or legal action:
A photograph of a photograph.
A photograph that you didn't take.
An image you found (on the web, from a book or magazine or other printed object).
Desktop patterns that are found.
Stock photographs from other stock agencies.
Tracing (illustrations) or creating unauthorized derivative work.
Copyright is very important to the Maniki S.A. community and should be adhered to as closely as possible. Where something falls into a grey area, you will find that we generally err on the side of rejecting the image. As a photographer uploading your images to err, you will find that our inspectors do not accept files that contain:
Do Not Submit: (image examples)
- Logos & Trademarks: logos, trademarks, company names, product names, product brands or trademarked and patented designs
- Patented & Trademarked Product Designs: most modern toys, many brand name watches, brand name computers and other licensed products.
- Artwork: Paintings, sculptures, any object in a museum, any object in an art gallery, including public sculpture, some architecture, advertisements, other photography (a photo of a photo)
- Documents: Modern maps, documents where names are mentioned, computer screens (interfaces and icons are copyrighted).
- Illustrations: Traced illustrations based on stock photography, fashion editorials, etc, that you do not own the original copyright for.
- Embedded Copyright Notices.
- Government & Military Property: Agency insignia, military decorations, golden eagles, Presidential seals, flat scans of US currency.
- Trademarked Buildings, Monuments & Landmarks: The intellectual property laws of this category can sometimes be confusing. It is best to research the structure before uploading it to Maniki S.A.. For instance, photographs of the Eiffel Tower during the day are legal for resale, but not night shots (showing the light show).
6.0 - Prohibited Use:
Our Content License Agreement includes several restrictions. You may not do anything with the Content that is not expressly permitted. You may not provide a copy of the Content, or any portions thereof, to anyone or allow anyone to gain access to the Content, or any portion thereof, except as permitted above. For greater certainty, you may not:
-use the Content in design template applications for resale, including, without limitation, website templates, flash templates, and brochure design templates;
-display the Content on websites designed to induce sales of "print on demand" products, including postcards, mugs, t-shirts, posters and other items (this includes custom designed websites as well as sites such as Cafe Press (i.e. www.cafepress.com));
-use the Content in any posters (printed on paper, canvas or other mediums) or other items for resale;
-use the Content or any part thereof as part of a trade-mark, design-mark, trade-name, business name, service mark, or logo;
-incorporate the Content in any product that results in a re-distribution of the Content (such as electronic greeting card web sites);
-use the Content in a fashion that is considered by Maniki S.A. International Inc. (acting reasonably) as pornographic, obscene, defamatory or libelous in nature;
-use any image in the Content that depicts a person to endorse a business, product or service;
-use any image in the Content that depicts a person in a potentially sensitive subject matter, including, but not limited to mental and physical health issues, social issues, contraband or crime;
to the extent that source code is contained within the Content or accompanying materials (if applicable), reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble any part of such source code;
-remove any notice of copyright, trade-mark or other proprietary right from any place where it appears on or in the Content or its accompanying materials;
-sub-license, re-sell, rent, lend, or otherwise distribute the Content;
-post a copy of the Content on a network server or web server for use by other users; or
-transfer the rights to the Content or accompanying materials (if applicable), except as specifically provided for elsewhere in this Agreement.
7.0 - Model Release:
All photographs where an identifiable human face is present require a model release. There are no exceptions.
If the photograph is of a minor (a child under the age of 18), a model release must be signed by a parent or legal guardian.
If the photo is of the photographer (a self portrait), a model release is still required.
A model release should be uploaded with each file. If you're uploading successive shots of the same model, the model release should be uploaded with each shot.
A valid witness signature must appear on the model release. It must be someone other than the photographer.
Note: Maniki S.A. does not accept digitally created or digitally signed model releases (this includes using script fonts as signatures, e-signatures and scanning signatures and then pasting into the model release).
7.1 - Property Release:
The requirement for a property release isn't as clear-cut as for a model release, because there is no specific right of privacy that attaches to property, as it does to people. Having said that, there are at least two reasons for obtaining property releases: (i) on the theory that a person's identity might be connected to the property in question (such as where a person's property is used in a manner that might defame the person as owner); and (ii) on the basis that to use someone's property for commercial gain without their consent may amount to an offense called "conversion". Also, if you go on someone's private property to take a picture of them or their property, it could amount to trespass.
Maniki S.A. recommends that a Property Release be obtained when the image contains identifiable property wherever possible (this isn't just for houses, it could apply to pets, cars and other personal property. The more recognizable and unique the property (and the more the owner's identity might be connected to or determined from the property) the greater the need for a property release.
The Property Release needs to signed by the legal and beneficial owner(s) of the property or their authorized agent. Many of the same formalities apply as for Model Releases.
