Shutterstock Photographer Forum :: View topic

velusariot · Joined: 20 Jul 2006 Posts: 9 Location: Riverview, FL, US

I'm having the same problem...
I uploaded my EPS files via FTP... then JPEGs by the exact same name. No go...

But I agree with monimatti that vector files are more valuable for designers than Jpegs and are worth more.

diane555 · Joined: 28 Mar 2006 Posts: 134

I went with the HTML upload but there was a very important detail that didn't seem to be mentioned in any instructions that I could find. Both the EPS AND the jpeg must be in the same place/file.

I had created a seperate file to save all the jpegs in it & had several problems before realizing what the issue was. Then I had to move them all so they were with the correct eps file. Just thought it might save someone some frustration if I mentioned it.

drwho · Posted: Fri Sep 01, 2006 2:36 pm

OK I'm relatively new to stock photography, had a few surprising sales from my limited portfolio, and thats all very well. But, excuse my ignorance, what IS a vector? How do you make them?

I like drawing, and am quite good at it, having done some in the past for company mags, a union mag, and cartoons, how do you make them into vectors? What is a vector? (again).

I'd be interested in the process of creating them.

Look forward to any replies.

msim · Joined: 04 Aug 2005 Posts: 31 Location: Alexandria, Romania

search the internet for tutorials. A vector is any "infinite" scalable image. Shapes and colors are described by hidden mathematical functions, so by resizing you don't loose quality. Vectors can be logos, cartoons, symbols, maps, stamps etc.

There are like.. 3 ways to draw a vector:
1. Draw it using "real vectors" (eg. to build up a curve you need to define the size and direction for the vector that "pulls" the line). This is the most difficult way. Software: Adobe Illustrator for instance
2. Draw it by hand. You can use a graphic tablet. Software: Macromedia Flash.
3. Take a raster image (an ordinary image, non-vector) and convert it with softwares like VectorEye.

Good luck!

suhendri · Joined: 30 Sep 2005 Posts: 884

hey all, maybe this is a very stupid question. But what is the minimum size of .eps file? like in photo is 5 mega pixel. But in illustration there no such megapixel stuff. So i create one image that appx. 7 megapixel and get ready to upload it, but cancelled because the FILE SIZE is too huge, like 68 megabyte. So what the solution?

I also hear that shutterstock doesn't accept AUTO-TRACED vector. what does it mean? does it mean an illustration that converted from pdf? please explain

suhendri · Joined: 30 Sep 2005 Posts: 884

OK, sorry for my ignorance. Just read reply from MSIM about vector as a SCALEABLE image without losing in quality. So i guess i can start creating my image from small size (maybe like letter size?).

But again, what is AUTO-TRACED vector? is that vector that is converted from pdf?

msim · Joined: 04 Aug 2005 Posts: 31 Location: Alexandria, Romania

Yes, size doesn't count. Make it small, like 640*480 - 1024 * 768.
An auto-trace is method number 3 from my previous post; when you take a photograph and convert it into vector image. They must asure somehow that the traced image is 100% ours. Good luck in drawing!

diane555 · Joined: 28 Mar 2006 Posts: 134

suhendri · Joined: 30 Sep 2005 Posts: 884

hey diane and msim, thanks for the info. i know have more knowledge about vector. But what do you mean by version 8 file? i just found out that you can save .eps in photoshop it's called "photoshop eps". Don't know if there is different between "illustration eps", "photoshop eps", and "version 8 file". Anybody's comment much appreciated

hkuchera · Joined: 19 Jul 2005 Posts: 1070 Location: Minnesota

Here are my suggestions:

1) Don't use Photoshop for creating vectors as they won't be true vectors.

2) Get a book on Adobe Illustrator and read it cover to cover.

3) Start by doing silhouettes -- you'll get the hang of the pen tool much faster (if you don't understand what I mean by the pen tool, refer to #2)

msim · Joined: 04 Aug 2005 Posts: 31 Location: Alexandria, Romania

hkuchera, thanks for the advice.
My q: Do you really need a graphic tablet, or a mouse we'll do just fine?

hkuchera · Joined: 19 Jul 2005 Posts: 1070 Location: Minnesota

I use a Wacom tablet simply because I find it easier to draw with than a block of soap...err...mouse. If you ever get a chance to try a tablet for an extended period of time (hours, not minutes) - give it a try!

diane555 · Joined: 28 Mar 2006 Posts: 134

hkuchera · Joined: 19 Jul 2005 Posts: 1070 Location: Minnesota

diane555 · Joined: 28 Mar 2006 Posts: 134

LOL My problem with the wacom stems from the fact that I simply cannot stay within that little space. My husband tells me if I'd just make myself use it for a while I'd love it. He may be right.