Is visible noise at 100% likely to get a photo rejected by Getty Images?
Asked 10/31/2023
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I’m considering applying as a Getty Images contributor. Some of my sunset photos look fine at normal viewing size, but when viewed at 100% they show noticeable noise. For stock submissions, how much visible noise is typically acceptable? Would an image with this level of noise be likely to pass, or is Getty usually expecting cleaner files for an application portfolio?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
2y ago
2 Answers
6
IMO, this would be a poor choice for a contributor application.
It is too noisy... they want very high image quality. There may be an exception for a particular image; but not this one, and not for an application.
It is too busy/congested...what is the subject/theme? Why would a client want to buy it?
It doesn't have any commercial application... it would require a lot of model releases that you don't have. They tend to want/require model releases even if they are not actually legally required.
It wouldn't surprise me if they rejected it for trademark issues due to the recognizable signage. It can seem pretty silly.
It doesn't have any, or limited, editorial (news) application.
Originally by user70370. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user70370
2y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Based on the community feedback, this level of noise would likely be a poor choice for a Getty contributor application. Stock agencies generally expect very high technical quality, and visible noise at 100% can be a rejection reason, especially for application images where you want to show your strongest work.
The sample also has other likely issues beyond noise: it appears visually busy, lacks a clear commercial subject, may need model releases for recognizable people, and could raise trademark/signage concerns. So even if the noise were improved, it still may not be a strong stock candidate.
Noise reduction in Lightroom/Camera Raw or Photoshop can help a fair amount, but you have to balance denoising against lost detail and oversmoothing. For an application, it’s safer to submit cleaner, simpler images with obvious commercial or editorial value and fewer release/IP complications.
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