Image Submission Policies
How to submit images:
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You must first Register to open an account. There is no charge of any kind to register or to up load photos.
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Once you have registered, you can start uploading images right away using the Image Upload page which will appear when you log in or click under the PHOTOGRAPHERS link at the top of the page. See the notes at the bottom of this page to get the best results. The 22 bird categories that we use is based on the Stokes field guides. You may also e-mail us at info@americanwildbird.com for the right category.
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If you are uploading materials for Stories such as multiple files, video, or text use the link on the Image Upload page to the Stories Upload page. It will allow you to upload multiple files from the same folder by using Shift Click or Control Click. That uploader does not care about file type and it does not re-size images. There is a limit of 200 MB per upload and you may upload as many times as required. Do not use it for bird images that you want in the database. They will not appear on the Image pages.
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Please allow up to three days for the images to be approved and processed before they will appear on the site.
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To see your images, go to either the appropriate Image page or find your name on the Directory of Photographers and click. All of your approved images will appear on that page.
Please read the following policies and procedures before registering.
We are not the police for aesthetics. It is a tricky thing to start defining the guidelines for acceptable images for this site. Not everyone agrees on what a great or even good photograph is. It depends on many factors, not the least of which is the "eye of the beholder." And we typically have more tolerance for image flaws the rarer the bird. So what follows is a set of guidelines that we use to determine whether or not to accept an image to include on the site.
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We look for sharpness of the image, particularly the eyes. Ideally the image is what is called "tack sharp."
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Proper exposure is also important. It is difficult to show the detail and actual color of the bird without the exposure being correct.
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We look for photos showing the bird in natural surroundings doing natural behaviors.
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An image of the whole bird is usually preferred.
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The photo should have minimal manipulations by editing software.
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It is permissible to submit multiple photos of the same bird or species; however only images that show a different look, activity, pose, or other characteristic that sets the image apart from the others of that species will be used.
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There are exceptions to every rule!
Notes on the file specifications for the Image Uploader, please follow these rules for upload:
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We accept only JPEG's in the Image file uploader. (Use the Stories Uploader for other types.)
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If you use our File Uploader, you do not need to change your file name. We will automatically add your username and the species that you entered to your existing file name. If you submit images some other way, please use the following format: "photographers_name_birdname#". Example: john_smith_greatblueheron01.jpeg. The# is used if you have more than one of that species.
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Keep the maximum dimension to 750 pixels with a resolution of 120 pix/in. If you have several images to upload, we advise that you put them in one folder and use the image processor program in PhotoShop to re-size them.
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If is acceptable and encouraged to watermark your images; however if the watermark covers any part of the bird, the image will not be used.
We will use your images under the following restrictions:
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Images remain the property of the photographer and are used on a non-exclusive basis.
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Photos will include the photographer's credit with copyright or creative commons symbol when used on the website.
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All inquiries regarding use of images by third parties will be directed to the owner of the image.
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We will not make changes to an image other than size and resolution without prior permission from the owner.
Please feel free to e-mail us at info@americanwildbird.com if there are any questions or concerns regarding our submission policies.
