Pocketstock App

A first from Pocketstock.
Shoot, Keyword, Add Releases, Upload, Sell
All from one app on your iPhone.
We opened up the industry to anyone who had ever taken a great photograph.
Now we are taking it to the next level.

General Info
The Pocketstock app is free and will help you get your phone images online and on sale in a matter of minutes. The app allows you to add image keywords, generates electronic releases that can be attached to your images and then allows you to upload your images directly to the Pocketstock website. Before you can upload your images, you first need to sign up for a Pocketstock contributor account via the app or via our website.

When you download the app, familiarize yourself with the controls and make sure that the app is running smoothly before you start using it to shoot for upload.

File sizes from the latest generation iPhone are big. This is good news for your image sales but it's not so great for your data plan. To avoid maxing out your data plan in one go, try not to upload lots of images when you are roaming.


What we are looking for
We want your best, most creative and most commercial images.
Phone images will be subject to the same editing criteria as those images shot with every other kind of camera.
Use the app to add the keywords and releases that may be required before your image can go live.


Filters and Effects
Our app doesn't add filters or effects, we want to see your creativity at work, not lots of visual gimmicks.
For more information about what we are looking for, ideas and how to guides, check out our submission essentials here and our Pocketstock Academy page here.


App Guide

You can now shoot, add keywords, add electronic releases and upload your images to Pocketstock in seconds. Here's how it works:

Sign up/Log in

Sign up for your free Pocketstock account via a link on the iPhone app at our website

1. Sign up for your free Pocketstock account through our app or via our website. 2. Click the link in the confirmation email we send to you. 3. Log into the app by filling in your username and password..
Shoot Photo

To capture an image press

Once you've shot an image it's saved to your camera roll in order for you to upload it through the Upload Queue page.

Upload Queue

To upload an image to Pocketstock use the Upload Queue. When you opt for the Add from Album option the app will take you directly into your camera roll where you can select an image for upload. Selecting will add the image to your Upload Queue.

An image added to your Upload Queue will require metadata before it can be uploaded.

Add Metadata
First, we need to know if there are any people or properties in the image that would require a release. If your image features a person, private building or private place you will need written permission before you can sell the image commercially.

The app allows you to create a model and/or property release through the app, you can take an image of the signee, let them fill in their information on the screen and even sign the release using their finger.
Once you've attached any necessary releases, a caption and keywords to be added.

The caption is a short description of the image that will appear as the title of the image, when it is listed for sale on the Pocketstock site. Keywords are significant words or phrases that are used to describe an image. We require a minimum of 8 and a maximum of 40 keywords per image. Add keywords one by one by typing a keyword phrase and tapping Done. Once a minimum of 8 keywords have been added to your image you can then choose Save in the top left corner.

Once the caption, keywords and, if necessary, releases have been added; the image is ready for upload to Pocketstock.

Tap Upload Image to upload to the Pocketstock servers.

During the upload process, you will be notified if your image is too small for upload.
(This could happen if your image was taken using an app that filters or affects the look of your photos. These apps can crop and change the image, making the files smaller than the photos your phone normally captures).

The upload time will depend on your Internet connection.

Note for the first time upload on the iPhone
When anyone tries to upload their very first image via our iPhone app, we are required by Apple, to ask your permission to use your location information. This means that when you attempt your first upload on your iPhone, you will be asked by Pocketstock for your permission to do this.

This will only happen once and to use the app, you need to select OK.

If you select "Don't Allow" you will not be able to upload any images via your phone. You will still be able to upload them via your laptop or computer.

If you select "Don't Allow" and then change your mind, you just need to reset this via the location settings that are found in the Settings menu of your iPhone. Once this is done, there will be no further prompts and the app will work as normal.

Manage my Images

Manage my Images allows you to see your images uploaded to Pocketstock and their relevant information. This includes metadata information (keywords and releases), the image status and how many downloads the image has had. Tap an image to view more information about it. Choose Filter Images to search for images with a particular status such as live, awaiting metadata and so on.

Statistics

Statistics will show your image sales statistics. It allows you to see:

• Your current un-cashed balance
• Your total earnings to date
• Your total content downloads
• The option to view your previous downloads.

You can also see a visual representation of your current royalty rate, the amount that you will make from each sale.

Push Notification

The Pocketstock app also allows you to receive push notifications as long as you are logged in.
This means you can receive a push notification informing you when one of your images has sold. By tapping View Downloads, in the statistics section you can then see more information about the sale.

FAQs

What kind of phone do I need to submit images?
Any phone with a 5 megapixel camera or higher should produce an image that meets our minimum file size criteria. Most of the latest generation smartphones will have a camera that meets this specification.

Can I only upload images that I have shot using the Pocketstock app?
You certainly don't need to use our app to take your pictures. You can use your phone camera as normal and assuming the file size is big enough, you can upload any of the images in your phones photo album.

Do I have to use the app to upload all of my phone images?
No, you can upload your phone images via our website as well. Just like our app, it's a very easy way to upload your shots.

What happens once I've uploaded my images?
Once your images have been uploaded, they will enter our editing workflow where they will be reviewed by submission date order. You will be notified of the outcome of your edit via email.

What does exclusive contract mean?
The first time you submit your final phone image files for upload to our website, you will be required to sign up to our exclusive phone contract. This means that you give us the exclusive rights to sell your uploaded phone images and agree that you will not make them available to anyone else.
Signing to our exclusive phone contract means that you will receive the highest initial royalty rate of 35%.

I've just tried to upload my first shot via my iPhone and it's asked me something about my location information, what does that mean?
Your GPS location information will be sent with the photo if you send it through an iPhone. This is your personal information and we are required to make you aware that it will be sent to us along with your images. We do not keep this location information but to upload images to us, you do need to agree to send it. To agree, select the OK option when prompted. You are more than welcome to say no but you will not be able to upload any images via the app. Of course, you will still be able to upload your images via our website instead.

I've just tried to upload an image but it was rejected because it was too small. If previous images were accepted on the same phone, how can this shot be smaller than the others?
Many photo apps alter the original image file that your phone captures. These apps often crop the image, making them smaller and the filters can also reduce the size of the image file. So, even though you may take all of your pictures with the same phone, shots taken with these apps may be smaller than your camera's default image size and may not meet our minimum file size requirement.

Can I upload the same image twice?
No, it will not be possible to upload the same image twice, even by accident.

When do I need to add a model release?
You need to add a model release for any recognisable person in your image. The release means they have given you permission to sell the image commercially and without it, the image cannot be offered for sale. For more information about model releases, watch this video.

Why do I need to add keywords?
Keywords are very important because image buyers use them to find images. If your images do not have the right keywords, then your image sales will suffer. To find our more about keywords watch this video.

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