Any images that you submit to the marketplace must meet our basic technical standards regarding image resolution and image quality. These are industry standards, created to make sure images can be purchased for as many different uses as possible and to reassure clients that they can use images they select in the way they want to.
We do understand that a grainy effect can be an intentional part of the image aesthetic and make allowances for all effects that are clearly a creative part of the image making process. If, however, we can see no creative justification for excessive grain or pixel break up in an image, it will not be selected.
The subject range for which a grainy look is advantageous is limited. Clients look for images that allow them to sell their product or service in a clear, simple way. Take a look at most successful advertising and you’ll see the treatment is clean and brightly lit without grain.
In digital cameras, “noise” is the grainy effect that appears when you start to see the smooth surface of the image break up into clumps of pixels or individual pixels. Shooting at a high ISO is the most common cause of this problem.
Typically, using anything up to ISO400 is unlikely to be a problem. Depending on your camera, you may be able to go higher than ISO400 but even the best and most expensive cameras have trouble coping with certain lighting situations.
If an image appears to be too noisy/grainy when viewed at 100%, it will not be suitable for use and will be rejected.
