Submission
Why am I unable to upload my images?
If you can’t upload your images please check the format and file size of your image.
- You can only upload JPGs. JPG is a compression format that reduces file size. You cannot submit TIFFS, RAWs or similar.
- Please make sure not to exceed the maximum file size of 10 Mega Bytes (MB).
If you still can’t submit, the file might be damaged. Try to open it on your computer and see if any errors occur.
How many Mega Pixels (MP) does my image have?
To determine the Mega Pixels of your image, simply multiply the vertical and horizontal number of pixels and divide by one million. e.g. 12.2 Mega Pixels (2848 pixels x 4288 pixels = 12,212,224). You can also check your file size and MPs easily in Photoshop by opening the image and pressing apple+alt+i (Apple) or ctrl+alt+i (PC).
What is the difference between file size and picture size?
Picture size is the uncompressed digital data containing the complete information of colors and resolution. If you save an image uncompressed the actual file can get really big and therefore it sometimes makes sense to compress it and to reduce the final file size. For example if you use the JPG compression you can reduce the file size to about a tenth of its original data volume and still keep the high picture size which is mandatory for print.
I used a 8 Mega Pixels or higher camera, but the resolution is still too small. Why?
If the resolution of your image is not sufficient, please check your camera settings:
- Even if you are using a 8MP+ camera you must still ensure that you are shooting images at the highest possible resolution (e.g. JPG high, TIFF, RAW).
- Also be aware that photo cropping in post production may adjust the size of your image and lead to a final picture size that is under 8MP.
- Submitted images that don’t have the requested picture size will be disqualified.
Can I submit RAW files?
No. RAW files and other formats must be converted to JPG and meet all other submission criteria.
All images must be available for re-submitting in their original size. All semi-finalists will be required to re-submit the originals in RAW or tiff format at 300dpi.
How can I convert a RAW file into a JPG?
You can convert your file by using you default camera software or similar RAW conversion software such as Adobe Photoshop CS2-CS4.
Take the following steps:
Open your RAW file(s) and select:
- Color Space: Adobe RGB
- Bit-depth: 8bit
- Size: choose a size between 8-24.5MP, e.g. 2731 x 4096 (11.2MP)
- Resolution 300dpi
- Save your file as JPG with the maximum size of 10MB (factor 8-12)
Can I send in analogue images?
No. All film prints and transparencies must be drum scanned at high resolution and delivered digitally. Scan your images in high resolution with 300dpi and before uploading check their actual MP. Please note, your images must have over 8MP in order to be acceptable. No prints will be accepted.
I don't have 8MP images. Can I submit them anyway? Can I increase the MP of my images in Photoshop in order to meet the requirements?
No. Images with less than 8MP picture size will be disqualified.
It is true that Photoshop gives you the opportunity to add pixels to your images by using rendering intents. The software interprets existing image information (luminance/ colors) and adds pixels and colors. This procedure does not raise quality to the required level and therefore is not acceptable.
I have already submitted five images to a category, but I would like to add another one, can I exchange images?
No. Once a photograph has been submitted, it is final and may not be replaced by another photograph.
If I make usual color corrections, does that mean that I can only submit my image only to the ‘Experimental’ category?
If it is only customary image editing or color correction and the image is not alienated, you can submit to the other categories, too.
If I convert my image to black and white, does it mean that I must submit my image to the ‘Experimental’ category?
No. This is customary color correction and therefore b/w images can be submitted to every category.
How can I submit images to the 'Sequence' category with original meta data since they are made up of multiple original files?
Submit the sequence image as you have composed it, but keep all original files with the correct meta data. At some point we may request to see all original files and check the meta data.
Can I sign up and submit images more than once?
No. It is against the rules and will lead to disqualification.
If one of my images gets disqualified for some reason, will I be able to submit another one instead?
No. You may submit five images per category and these cannot be replaced after submission. Please choose your images carefully and consider rules and requirements for submission.
If I submit images to the wrong category, will these images be disqualified?
No. It is up to you to decide if an image meets the requirements of a category or not. Please consider that images that do not really fit into a category might not get highly rated.
Please always keep the requirements for submission in mind!
Legal
Will my images be used for Red Bull advertising?
No. The submitted images can only be used in relation to the Red Bull Illume contest. In this context it might be used for public relations or event advertising without compensation, which is standard procedure for all other credible photo contests.
Can I still sell my image?
Yes. The copyrights of submitted images remain with you, however when you give away rights to third parties be sure not to collide with the rules you agree upon when entering the Red Bull Illume competition.
Generally all submitting photographers must own all rights to any photographs entered in this contest.
What is a model release and why do I have to provide one?
A model release is a short agreement with your model that proves that he/she grants you the permission to publish the photograph of him/her in one form or another. Upon request you must be able to prove that the images you have submitted meet all legal requirements for the participation in the Red Bull Illume Image Quest, which includes the proof that no rights of any third party are infringed. If you cannot provide such an agreement with your model, this may result in disqualification.
Can I submit images I submitted to other contests in the past? Can I submit an image I won another contest with?
Yes you can, but make sure that you still have all rights for the image. Submitting photographers must own all rights to any photographs entered in this contest.
Also note that all competing images must be taken after 01.01.2007.
Judging and winners
How can you be sure that judges aren’t partial or unfair?
In order to maintain impartiality all images will be made anonymous before the judges receive them.
What happens in case of a tie in any round? What if two images have the exact same amount of votes?
In this case Red Bull Photofiles will cast a determining vote.
If there is a tie in round two, the previous results will be considered and the image with the most votes in round one will advance.
Will I know how many votes my image received?
No. The number of votes will not be made public.
Will I get notified when my image makes it into the next round?
All semi-finalists will be informed about their progress into the next round. The 50 finalists will be announced in public and invited to the unveiling event where the winners will be honored.
How does the public voting work?
As soon as the 50 finalists are announced, members of the general public will have the opportunity to vote for his or her favorite image on the Red Bull Illume website. The image with the most votes will win the Peoples’ Choice Award.
