Author Topic: TIFF vs JPEG (Read 10782 times)

Nemo1024 · « **on:** September 10, 2008, 05:25 »

I am in the process of uploading my portfolio to SS and already have 150 files on-line with 400 more to go (I upload in 20 file batches).
I have just discovered that it is possible to upload TIFF as well as JPEG and that EL would then allow buyers to get a true TIFF instead of the one converted from JPEG, possibly increasing a chance of an EL sale...

- I wonder if there is anyone here who does TIFF uploads and if yes, does it help with nailing ELs?
- If you are not uploading in TIFF, but knew about the option, what's your reason for still uploading in JPEG?
- Ultimately, is it worth re-uploading already approved files in TIFF (my workflow includes TIFF as an output from NEF processing, where I do the final tunings on the 16-bit TIFFs in PS)?
- Is it possible to upload 16-bit TIFFs?

leaf · « **Reply #1 on:** September 10, 2008, 06:05 »

does the buyer even know if he is getting an original tiff or one made from a jpg?

shutterstock makes a tiff from all their files so I am not sure it would increase chances of getting an EL

I haven't uploaded any tiff's to shutterstock, i guess i would if i thought it would increase sales, but so far i have no reason to believe so.

leaf · « **Reply #2 on:** September 10, 2008, 06:08 »

After a little more reading, i think the choice is simple. Upload a jpg!!

Quote

What file format do you want my photos/images/illustrations in?
Everything is ultimately converted into JPG by our system- so we prefer JPG/JPEG. However, you are welcome to upload TIFF's

[Shutterstock Upload FAQ]

since they convert everything to jpg's so why bother uploading in tiff.

Nemo1024 · « **Reply #3 on:** September 10, 2008, 06:39 »

Thanks, Leaf. I should have done more reading as well.

Under "Enhanced License TIFF" the have the following text: "TIFFs are converted from JPEGs", which turns out to be a link (discovered it now by accident as it is not marked as such). This link bring one to FAQ with the following text:

Quote

What is a TIFF?
A TIFF is an uncompressed file format that is available only to our Enhanced License subscribers. Our TIFF files are converted from the same JPEGs that are available under the Standard License. We use the JPEG format to store images in our database.

So, yes, there will be no TIFF uploads from me...

Catastrophe · « **Reply #4 on:** October 07, 2008, 14:55 »

I've never understood this. What is the point of downloading a TIFF file converted from a jpeg? It will just increase the download time - the same result could be achieved by downloading a jpeg and converting it to TIFF. I'm sure that any designer who buys an image is going to know to save it as an uncompressed format if they edit the file. I wish there was a way to upload uncompressed files and sell them without ever being compressed. Even at max quality, a jpeg flattens the image, and some quality is lost. I guess it would take up too much server space, with SS's gigantic library.

icefront · « **Reply #5 on:** October 07, 2008, 15:42 »

It's easy. Where the buyer provides images for the graphic agency (in the case on a magazine for eg.) this agency needs tiff so the buyer must provide tiff.

TIFF is needed because of the lossless compression (no artifacts), this is a strict policy in the world of graphics. No jpg's. Here jpg's are considered as amateur format. The problem is that nobody cares what is the actual source of a tiff. So? Let's provide for everybody what he needs!

madelaide · « **Reply #6 on:** October 07, 2008, 16:44 »

I understand someone paying more for the TIFF, but indeed it doesn't make sense if it is produced from the JPEG, and someone with any graphics skill knows that. Are buyers forbidden to change file format? If not, than I guess people buy them in pure ignorance.

Regards,
Adelaide

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Author Topic: TIFF vs JPEG (Read 10782 times)

Nemo1024

leaf

leaf

Nemo1024

Catastrophe

icefront

madelaide

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