1. What is gulfimages ?

Gulfimages is the middle east's first comprehensive stock picture library offering a complete range of images covering all aspects of life in the Arabian Gulf Region - business, lifestyle, culture, heritage, landscapes, festivals etc.

2. What is gulfimages Upload ?

Gulfimages Upload is a gateway to the world marketplace for pro, semi pro or passionate hobbyist who wish to reach thousands of buyers looking for interesting new stock images of the Arab world.

3. What Are Stock Images ?

Stock images are photos and illustrations already taken by photographers and offered for licensing with prices based on how the images will be used. People who need to quickly find an image to use in a direct marketing piece, brochure, or other projects can search for stock images from a library like gulfimages.

Assignment photography, where a client hires a photographer to work on a project is the other way a prospective client can get images. However it is generally more expensive and time consuming.

4. Can I earn any money from stock photography ?

Once your image is seen and selected by a potential client they will contact us for the reproduction rights. The client will need to pay an agreed amount and once the payment is realized, you as the contributing photographer will receive commission as per contract.

High usage fees can be obtained for a first-class picture. Your sales figures relate directly to the quality and quantity of your images marketed through us. The more you supply, the higher your monthly income from stock photography will be.

5. Do I loose my rights when I submit images to the library or when my image is sold ?

At gulfimages, the photographer shall always retain the ownership and copyright of his images. Gulfimages will only act as an agent for an agreed fee.

The client can only buy reproduction rights. They can not own the copyright nor can they resell or pass on the reproduction rights they have acquired to a third party.

7. What is the duration of the contract ?

All photographers must sign a contract with gulfimages, for a minimum period of 2 years.

8. What is the life of an image ?

Many images, particularly in fast changing cities of the middle east, become out-dated very quickly. Fashions change and picture language is subject to constant change too. However some images are classic and can go on for a long time.

A successful stock photographer constantly produces new pictures which reflect the current trends.

The agency supports him with all relevant information so that the pictures can be marketed in the best possible way.

9. How much money will I get ?

That will depend on whether you have "Exclusive " or "Non Exclusive " representation.

10. Will my name appear along with the picture ?

While we would like that very much it is not possible for us to ensure that your name appears every time your image is published or used. However your name will appear under your image on the website and some publications may in fact give you a credit line for your image. Practically all commercial users will not.

Please note that credit lines must be limited to between 3 - 10 Alphabets.
They may not contain the following:
Numerals, symbols, wingdings, special characters email addresses, website addresses, messages "I love you Christina", etc.

11. Why do I need to submit an ID ?

So that we can protect your rights. We want to make sure that no one can claim what is yours and no one submits images in a false name.

We also need to reassure ourselves that you are over 18 and able to enter in to a contract. In case you are less than 18 years of age please get the approval of one of your parents and also submit their ID.

12. What kind of ID can I submit ?

Ideally we need your Passport copy. The ID needs to contain the following information:
a) Your full name
b) Your nationality
c) Your birth date
d) Your address

13. What kind of images can I upload ?

You can upload images that conform to at least one of the following :
a) Islamic in content
b) Arabic in content
c) Middle Eastern in content
d) Shot in the middle east

The middle east has a heady mix of nationalities and cultures so there is a vast list of subjects yo can choose from. For example images of Asian or European families would be welcome unless they are obviously located in Europe or an Asian country. However landscapes from tropical jungles or snowcapped mountains would be out of place totally. We have a list of subjects in our submission guidelines page that you can refer to for a start.

14. What shouldn't be uploaded ?

a) Images that depict nudity, erotica or pornography.
b) Images that could be seen as offensive to any religion or ethnic group.
c) Images that infringe the rights of any individual or group.
d) Images that prominently feature a logo or trademark.
d) Multiples of the same or similar images with only minor variations.

15. How long will it take for the images to be reviewed ?

It will take a minimum of Ten working days for the first submission. to be reviewed. From the Subsequent submissions will take about 15 days before going online. However if there is a very heavy rush of submissions then it could take longer.

We are as keen as you to have as many images up there as soon as possible !

16. If I’m approved as a contributing photographer, are the samples I provided automatically accepted ?

Yes the images submitted will automatically go into the website. Therefore the first submission should not only match the technical specifications but also content specifications.

17. Can I send a DVD as have a lot of images ?

Yes, once you have successfully passed the initial submission process you can send us more images on a DVD. DVDs can not be returned and will be archived with us for the duration of the contract. After that in case the photographer chooses to terminate the contract the DVD shall be destroyed.

The DVD should contain the images in one folder & the metadata in excel & text formats in a separate folder. The DVD should have your name and the email you are registered with clearly marked with a permanent marker.

Do not use stickers or labels on the media. If you are sending disks from out side UAE, label your package " of not commercial value " to avoid import duty.

18. Can I send transparencies ?

If you have transparencies, the initial submission needs to be made as digital & write to us & let us know the subject matter & the quantity of transparencies you have. Please do not send any transparencies to us without us first asking for them. These are valuable assets and must be handled securely. If we need to we will let you know how, when and where to send the images.

19. Should I scan my transparencies ?

Please do not ! There are only a handful of labs around the world who have the quality to scan images for the stock market. We will help you to get this done at the right place.

20. What file size should I submit ?

Image size should be not less than 8MB without any interpolation. That means your camera should be producing uncompressed 8 bit. 8MB files. We prefer images of 25 mb and higher but will accept images of up to 8 mb+.

21. What file type do I upload ?

You will have to upload RGB JPEG files. The files must be made from non-interpolated RGB TIFF / RAW files and must not be compressed to less than Quality 8.

22. What should be the color space ?

Ideally the color space should be Adobe RGB.

23. Can i manipulate the image ?

While we do accept manipulated images, and excessive use of image enhancement tools like curves, contrast, sharpness and saturation may lessen the appeal of your images to professional users thus reducing their commercial value.

Digital composites are acceptable but must be identified as such.

24. Can I submit scanned images from transparencies ?

Scans should be made on a Drum scanner, or equivalent. Ideally file size should be 50-60 MB for 35mm film, or larger when scanning from a medium/large format transparency. Pictures should be scanned at the optical resolution and the highest possible bit depth of the scanner. Do not interpolate (re-size) images to achieve the required file size, even at the scanning stage. Images should not be sharpened either at the scanning stage or in Photoshop. All the shadow and highlight detail contained in the original transparency should be present in the scan. Assuming that your working space is Adobe RGB (1998), then the RGB 'density' reading (0=black, 255="white)" for shadow detail should not be much less than 10 while good highlight detail should be perhaps around 240. True specular highlights can peak to 255 in small areas. Adobe RGB 1998 colour space (embedded) 300dpi Ensure images are the correct orientation No sharpening/USM Dust and artifacts removed at 100% magnification No interpolation Saved as an uncompressed TIFF (for PC) No layers, channels or paths Converted to 8 bit before saving Captioned in Description field of File Info in Adobe Photoshop

25. How do I Caption the images ?

Images should be captioned using the IPTC caption information plug-in in Photoshop (File>File Info). The caption should be entered IN ENGLISH in the Caption field only. All other fields should be left blank. This information will be imported into gulfimages database, and other fields will be used by gulfimages. Digitally created or excessively manipulated images (i.e. those that have been significantly altered from the original image) should be labeled as such.

26. What is a Model Releases ?

A Model Release is a signed agreement between the photographer and the subject of the photograph whereby the subject categorically gives the photographer permission to display, market and sell reproduction rights to the photographer and/or his clients.

All pictures with recognizable persons should ideally have a "model release" - regardless of whether the subject is a professional model or not. Images without model releases may only only be reproduced as an Editorial Illustration and may not be used for commercial purposes. It is important for photographers to realize that an image with a release is worth a lot more than one without.

Knowing the sensitivities of the local Arabic population we may refuse to display an image we feel could lead to complications.

27. Is a model release a must ? Can I not submit images of people without one ?

Successful stock images appear in many forms of media and are often distributed internationally. Therefore, it is important that the persons depicted have signed such a release. Sample image releases are available here.

By buying the usage rights from gulfimages, our clients trust in us they will not suddenly receive calls from indignant people. Should legal arguments arise due to non-released images, the owner of the copyright - the photographer - is always liable. In order to avoid such problems, we are happy to supply you with our general model release form.

28. What is a Property Release ?

All pictures of recognizable and privately owned buildings or properties must have a property release for the image to be made available for commercial use. Public buildings and Landmarks can be submitted without property releases but this may reduce their salability and value.

If you have any further questions on submissions, please feel free to contact us.

29. Where can i find my contract ?

Your Contract can be found in your profile page.

My Profile -> View Contract

30. Why are my images rejected ?

It is possible that your images may not have passed one or more of the criteria enumerated in our submission guidelines. Please carefully study the criteria and resubmit. If you have already passed the first submission then you can enter the contributor's page and review your submissions. You will find there the list of rejected images and the reason thereof.

If your first submission was rejected please do not loose heart . Look out for the "Open-house" event which we will be holding where you can come and get the answers to your specific questions. And don't stop shooting.