My Account

1. Why should I register on Photolibrary?

Registration is free and once registered, you are eligible for unwatermarked comping images, you also have access to pricing, lightboxes, promotions and giveaways. Register using your company email address and gain access to special content & corporate discounts.

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2. How do I change my password?

You can change your password at any time after signing in by completing the following steps:

1. Click My Account and under Login Details, type in your NEW Password, (a minimum of 6 letters and numbers is required). Confirm your New Password and click Update Account.

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3. I don't want to use my credit card online or I don't have one. Can I open a Trading Account?

Please visit the Trading Account page to apply for one today.

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4. How do I sign up for or remove myself from your newsletters

Click the My Account link (You need to be "signed In" and choose your e-communications preferences then click Update account. Changing your details may take up to 72 hours.

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5. The site tells me my login details are incorrect. What's wrong?

Our site uses cookies to determine who you are within our system. Firstly check to ensure you are in the correct region, look to the top right corner of our website. If you have cookies disabled you must enable them for this site to work properly. Ask your systems administrator if you are unsure how to do this.

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6. I think I am in the wrong region. Can I reset it?

Yes. You can reset your region and language at the top left of our website. If you have registered in the wrong region, please reset your region and register again from the correct site. Being in the correct region will ensure you see only the images and promotions available to you.

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Searching

7. Is it possible to remove the watermarked on the comping image?

Account customers who are known to us can be given access to un-watermarked comping images (excluding some Royalty Free suppliers). Please register on Photolibrary using your company email address (not a free email address). Please contact us if you require this feature.

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8. My search results aren't what I expected. How can I improve my search results?

Click on one of the images that most closely match your search criteria, it will open in another Zoom window, click on the Find Similar Image link and our system will search for images that closely match the shape, layout and color of that image. Moreover, please check our Search Tips page.

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9. There are too many results to my search, how do I see more accurate results?

Try adding additional keywords to your search string. If you are searching for "caucasian woman", refine your search by adding additional relevant keywords, e.g. "caucasian woman and child indoor"

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10. What is the difference between Rights Managed and Royalty Free?

For detailed information on this topic please visit our licensing information page.

Rights Managed

RM or Rights Managed (sometimes known as "licensed" images) are the traditional method of selling images to companies for advertising and editorial uses. These images are issued as a license according the the way the image will be used.

Licenses will contain the following criteria;

• Media - book,CD,website,magazine etc
• Region - USA, UK, Australia etc
• Industry - Banking, Book Publishers etc
• Period - Start and End Date
• Exclusivity - whether there is Competitive Restriction Controls applied

Once purchased, theses image must only be utilised within the specified criteria in the license and are not to be used in any other way.

RM images also have the added benefit of Competitive Restriction Control (CRC). Images with CRC can be protected against use by a competitor in your industry in your territory*.

Most of the images sold on the photolibrary.com website automatically assign CRC to rights managed images depending on the use** and are displayed on licenses as "Exclusive".

Some images can not be sold exclusively. This information will be displayed on the image preview page and show up as "Non-Exclusive" on your image license.

* Images may be available exclusively for worldwide and industry wide CRC. ** Editorial uses are always sold non exclusively except for certain Cover uses. Please check your license to be sure.

Royalty Free Images

"ALL NON EXCLUSIVE"

RF or Royalty Free images have become especially popular in the past few years. You get to purchase the image once and then use it as many times as you like. These images have no Competitive Restriction Control applied to them ever so anyone can purchase them within the same industry and region.

RF images are often sold as CD's with a number of images on each CD or can be purchased individually.

As you can see from the description above, the photo itself does not determine if it's "editorial" or "commercial", the use of the image does

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11. What is the difference between Editorial & Creative images?

"Editorial Use" refers to the market where the images will be used; primarily books, magazines, and newspapers and, to a lesser extent, to the style of photography. The term editorial is used to distinguish it from other markets like corporate, advertising, general commercial, or fine art.

"Creative Use" means all uses of a Still other than Editorial Use and includes, without limitation, in advertising (both on and off line), brochures and other promotional material, exhibitions, point-of-sale, web publishing (other than Editorial Use), posters, greetings cards, calendars, magazine and book covers, CD, DVD, video covers or other forms of packaging, or where the Still is used for the purpose of endorsing or promoting any product or service.

Editorial Images

Editorial images are defined as images that are considered newsworthy and will be used by newspapers, magazines, TV and other news organizations that do not endorse a product. It can be used as illustrations in books, magazines, informational books and electronic media or any educational materials. Commercial stock photos (non-editorial), on the other hand, are used in ads, promotional brochures, posters, etc. that advertise and endorse products or services.

Creative Images

"Creative" images are photos used by a "commercial client" for their own purposes. It might be a boy with a fishing pole for a rod and reel manufacturer; a Gymnast in an ad for the upcoming Olympic Games, or a model in a campaign by a clothing designer. Or any of a thousand other things that people sell. In addition to advertising, it may also be a picture in an annual report (boy with fishing pole to illustrate the improvements in quality of life for corporate clients after the move of the headquarters building.) Or it might be a public service announcement (an anti-smoking ad featuring a fisherman who credits his success to quitting). Or it might be a package/box cover for Bottled Water: a picture of a mountain stream. As you can see from the description above, the photo itself does not determine if it's "editorial" or "commercial", the use of the image does.

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12. What is a Model or Property Release?

A release, known in similar contexts as a liability waiver, is a legal document typically signed by the subject of a photograph granting permission to publish the photograph in one form or another. The legal rights of the signatories in reference to the material is thereafter subject to the allowances and restrictions stated in the release, and also possibly in exchange for compensation paid to the photographed.

Publishing an identifiable photo of a person without a model release signed by that person could result in civil liability for whoever publishes the photograph.

Note that the photographer is typically not the publisher of the photograph, but sells the photograph to someone else to publish. Liability rests solely with the publisher, except under special conditions. It is typical for the photographer to obtain the model release because he is merely present at the time and can get it, but also because it gives him more opportunity to sell the photograph later to a party who wishes to publish it. Unless a photo is actually published, the need (or use) of a model release is undefined. And, since some forms o0f publication do not require a model release (e.g., news articles), the existence (or non-existence) of a release is irrelevant.

Model Releases can be applied to both Rights Managed and Royalty Free images.

Model release

Images which include people may require a signed model release if you intend to use the images commercially. It is up to you to decide if the use will require a release. If the image is to be used for sensitive issues similar to those listed below, the model release in itself may not be sufficient.

Sensitive Issues; A model may have signed a model release but may not consent to their image being used for a sensitive issue subject.

Sensitive issues may include but are not limited to:

• Abortion and/or pro-life or pro-choice
• Alcohol
• Gambling
• Guns and weapons
• Medical and mental health issues
• Negative financial portrayal
• Political issues
• Religious issues
• Sexual and sexual health issues
• Tobacco

Property release

When is a signed property release required?

Images which depict property/landmarks/logos/art/etc... may require signed property releases. It is up to you to decide whether the licence usage will require a release.

For example you would require a Property Release for a night shot of the Eiffel Tower with it's lights on as the lights are subject Copyright.

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13. Why can't I download an image from the download images page?

Rights Managed Images are available to download within the license time period only. Many Royalty Free images are downloadable for the duration of your account with us unless otherwise stated at time of purchase.

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14. What file sizes do you offer?

Rights Managed Images

All of our rights managed images are available up to A4 RGB 24mb - 30mb (approx.) 300DPI jpeg files. This means that the longest edge of the image (either height or width) will be no longer than 3508 pixels. If larger file sizes are required please contact us for availability

Royalty Free Images

The size of these images depends primarily on the size that our suppliers determine. Some images are available at up to 50 mb in size online. When viewing image details you will be notified of the size options available. If the image is not available at a higher size you can contact us to see if it is available.

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15. Can I get a larger file size image?

Yes, our Digital department can increase the size of most images for a nominal fee, please speak to your Account Handler for more details.

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16. Why is the image I purchased smaller than what is stated on the website?

The image sizes stated on our website and quotes are the RAW file sizes. Images purchased from Photolibrary are stored and delivered as JPEG files. JPEG compression has been added to each file to assist in the transfer and storage of each image. You can read more about JPEG (the Joint Photographic Experts Group) here http://www.jpeg.org/

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Lightboxes

17. How do I create a lightbox?

Yes, our Digital department can increase the size of most images for a nominal fee, please speak to your Account Handler for more details.

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18. How do I add images or footage to a lightbox or clipbin for footage?

There are 2 methods to add images or clips to your lightbox/clipbin

1. Click the Add image to lightbox icon
2. Click on the thumbnail and drag your image to the lightbox, drop the image into the active lightbox

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19. How do I share a lightbox with my colleagues?

Open your active lightbox and click the Email this Lightbox icon, add your friends email addresses or addresses (comma separated), add a compelling subject line, a message if you like and then click the email button. Our system will send a link to your recipient to view your lightbox.

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Purchasing

20. How do I calculate a price for an image?

You can calculate a price for an image if you're logged into Photolibrary. Either click on the thumbnail image or the icon underneath the thumbnail. This will bring up a Zoom window with the image details and offer you the option to calculate a price (Rights Managed) or will display a number of prices (Royalty Free) to select from.

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21. Why do I have to login to view Rights Managed pricing?

To calculate a price for a Rights Managed image, we're sorry, but you need to login to our website to ensure we give you the best possible price first time. The reasons are;

1. We have to confirm the image is available for sale in your territory.
2. You may be eligible for discounts.
3. Discounts offered with Promotion Codes can only be calculated in the Shopping Cart.

Prices for Royalty Free images are available without logging in.

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22. How do I purchase an image(s)?

You must register and sign-in before you can purchase images online from photolibrary.com. You will then be able to select images from searches (and from CD image lists) to add to your order. You will need to calculate a price for the image and then when prompted select "Add to Cart". When you have added all the images you want, visit your Cart and complete the payment details or your add the purchase to your company account. If you would rather purchase through an account executive then just contact us and we will be pleased to serve you.

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23. How do I download purchased images?

Once you have completed your online order, you will be directed to the downloads page. This will allow you to download the images you need. When you see the image you need simply do the following

Mac OS Users

click on the image you want view. Once the image downloads you can drag it into whatever application you are using it in. You may also be able to click the image and download it directly to your desktop

Windows Users

Right click the image link and select "Save Target As...". Save the image to your chosen destination and then open it in your favourite image editing program. You may also choose click the image and open it in your browser however this may slow down your machine.

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24. I purchased an image earlier, can I get back to the download page?

Certainly! Just go to the Past Purchases page located at the top right corner of the website and you will see a list of all your previous purchases. Select View images for your order to see the download page.

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25. Do you offer secure credit card facilities?

We use SSL (128 bit) certificates to ensure your details are safely transmitted on our site. Please read our privacy and security policy to see how we protect your information.

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Artists

26. I am a Photographer, how can Photolibrary help me?

Photolibrary currently represent over 4,000 professional photographers from around the world and are always on the lookout for new and innovative photographers and footage producers. Due to the highly competitive market for stock imagery we are very selective about the types of work that we choose to take on. We specialise in high quality, creative imagery primarily orientated to advertising, business-to-business and the editorial and publishing markets. Read more...

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27. I still need further assistance. Who do I contact?

E-mail support for any technical difficulties you may be experiencing or contact us for sales related issues.

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Disclaimer

The information supplied on Photolibrary.com is intended for information purposes only. You are responsible for ensuring that you make all reasonable efforts to satisfy yourself/s of the information provided. If in any doubt, we strongly suggest you speak with your legal representative.