FAQ and help
JPG basics
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How do I edit, submit or delete a photo after uploading?
Just click the blue "Edit" link above the photo (you'll only see this link when you're logged in). Once you make your changes, don't forget to click "Save"!
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Why can't I submit more than one photo to a theme?
Out of fairness, we have a strict "one photo per theme" rule, so just select your best photo for a particular theme. It's fine to switch out your submission with a different photo as long as the theme is still open, but keep in mind that you'll lose any votes gained (but you'll still keep all the comments, favorites, and props).
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What is "hotness"?
When a photo is submitted to a photo challenge or theme, the photos that the community likes best become "Hot." Hotness is determined automatically by factors including number of votes, comments, views, and favorites. A photo's hotness is not permanent, but can change based on how the community is responding to other photos in the theme, and we recalculate hotness daily. That's why even if nothing changes on your individual photo, its hotness could change based on the popularity of other photos within the theme.
On the JPG homepage and the first page of any particular theme, we also show a selection of the hot photos in order to highlight the best photos from the site. The photos that display on these pages are pulled at random from the hot photos that we have selected to display. Hot photos also have a banner that links to more hot photos within the theme, along with tools that make it easier for other people to promote your photo on sites like Digg, Facebook, and StumbleUpon.
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What are "props"?
A "prop" is like a compliment, or kudos — it just means that you like the photo. A prop is a way of leaving a comment and also saying that you enjoyed their photo. The photographer can then see how many props their photo has received.
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What if I see something that seems totally inappropriate?
If you feel there is a photo or story that does not meet our guidelines, you can always report it by clicking the "Report a problem" link on the photo or story page in question. Our editors review all reports, but are unable to reply to them, so if you'd like a response, please contact JPG support directly.
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What JPG's copyright policy?
You retain all rights to your work. By submitting your work here, you grant JPG the right to do the following: display it on jpgmag.com, print it in the JPG Magazine, and use it in the promotion of JPG Magazine. You may also receive an invitation to participate in a JPG gallery show or book — we're always looking for ways to promote our awesome members. Our copyright policy can be found here: http://jpgmag.com/about/copyright.
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How do you protect my photos from theft?
When you submit a photograph to jpgmag.com we hold the original, high-resolution image privately. This is the version that we will use if your photograph is selected for publication. We display a much lower resolution version on jpgmag.com. Although it's possible for users to save these versions, we find that the reduced resolution is discouraging to most would-be photo thieves. Keeping the high resolution versions of your photographs off the website is the most effective way of preventing theft. And of course, our photographers always retain the rights to their work. Our copyright policy can be found here: http://jpgmag.com/about/copyright.
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I found some awesome photos on JPG and want to use them for a personal project. Can I do that?
Photographers that contribute to JPG retain the copyright of the photographs; therefore, you will need to obtain permission from each individual photographer. JPG is unable to grant permission, and use without permission would be a copyright violation. Please contact the photographer(s) directly to explain your project and obtain permission.
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Do I need model releases?
Generally speaking, you will not need a model release for photos submitted to JPG for editorial use. But there are important exceptions to respect people's privacy rights, so if you have any doubts, get a model release or consult a lawyer.
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Can I change my username?
Sorry, but your username is the one thing you cannot change. You can change your display name at any time, but your URL is a permanent link to your photo page. Anyone who wants to bookmark your photos will use this link — so these are unique and permanent for each user.
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Can I be removed from JPG's mailing list?
Yes! Just set your email preferences to "no email." When logged in, you can find your email preferences page here: http://jpgmag.com/account/preferences There's also an unsubscribe link at the bottom of every newsletter we send.
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How do I delete my JPG account?
Just click on the "Edit profile" link on your profile page, and follow the instructions under "Delete account." But we'll be sad to see you go!
Subscriptions to JPG Magazine
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What's up with subscriptions?
We're glad you asked: They're back! Our subscription information is right over here.
Uploading photos
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Why can't I upload more than 10 photos a day?
Because we want you to be selective. We only want to see your best photos. Photo editing is as much of a skill as photo taking, and we don't want to be just a dumping ground for photos. We want you to upload your very best!
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Why do photos have to be 2200 pixels wide or tall?
To make sure your photos look good in print (not fuzzy or pixelated), we require your photos to be at least 2200 pixels wide or tall and no larger than 10 megabites. And remember, that's just the minimum. When it comes to megapixels, more is better!
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Can I upload scans from film?
Of course! We love film. You just need to make sure that you scan your film scanned at a high resolution (they need to be at least 2200 pixels wide or tall).
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Why do I have trouble uploading certain photos?
Sometimes your connection can time out with larger file sizes, so be sure to double-check that your photo is no larger than 10 megabytes. If the file is less than 10 megabytes and you're still having trouble, please contact JPG support.
Voting on submissions
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How does voting work?
JPG Magazine is created through a combined process of community and editorial selection. Every JPG member can vote on each photo once, and we use community votes to find the best photos and stories. After the themes have closed, JPG editors make the final selections. Getting a lot of votes does not guarantee publication — all photos are reviewed by the editors before publication — but the votes are a critical component.
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What am I voting on, exactly?
You're basically saying: I think this photo should, or should not, be published in JPG Magazine.
Remember, we're not just asking if the photo is good — we're also asking if the photo is a good fit for the theme it's been submitted to. There are lots of technically great photos that never make it into the magazine because they don't speak directly to the theme. Likewise, there are some photos that are not technically perfect, but they're such a good match for the theme topic that we include them.
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How many "Yeah!" votes does it take to be published?
There is no minimum number. Really. We take many factors into account, and the "Yeah!" votes are just one of those.
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Does voting matter that much?
Yes. We get thousands of submissions — far too many for editors to review. This is your mechanism for telling us what works and what doesn't — so get out there and vote!
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Do early submissions have an advantage?
Nope, we don't look at the total votes each photo gets — we've got an algorithm that takes many more factors into account, including the length of time it's been in a theme.
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Why wasn't my totally hot photo published?
The final decision to publish a photo remains with our editors. It's possible a top-rated photo may not be published because it doesn't speak to the theme, or because it's similar to another photo we published, among other reasons.
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Why are some photos votable and others not?
When a photo has been submitted to a theme, and that theme is scheduled to be included in an issue of JPG Magazine, a voting box appears below the photo.
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Can I swap out my submission to a theme without losing my votes?
Nope. You can switch your photo as long as the theme is open, but you'll lose all the votes your original submission had collected.
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Why am I able to vote on my own photo?
Even a politician gets to cast one vote.
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Don't things seem a bit complicated?
We hope not. It would be easier to just print the most popular photos, but the magazine simply wouldn't be as good. Or, we could be like every other photo magazine and only print the photos we like, but we think you're smarter than we are. That's why we're using a hybrid process: part community wisdom, part editorial curation.
We think the result is worth it.
Spotlight
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What is Spotlight?
Spotlight is a new service we're offering whereby members can purchase premium placement of their — or other members' — photos. Photos that you elect to Spotlight will appear in various promotional spaces throughout jpgmag.com, and will appear 500 times. Each spotlight costs $1.00 (USD).
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Why has JPG introduced Spotlight?
Many of you have asked us for ways you can enhance the visibility of your photos on the site. With thousands of uploads daily, it's easy to become lost in the shuffle. Spotlight allows photographers the opportunity to draw more attention to their favorite photos.
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Doesn't Spotlight create an unfair advantage?
No! In fact, we think it helps equalize visibility across the community. Here's why: Casual JPG members with a small portfolio and few contacts tend to garner less attention, even if their photos are awesome. Spotlight provides an additional avenue for members to get work seen — one where popularity has no advantage. It's not that we don't want some folks to be popular; on the contrary, we want everyone to be popular!
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How many times will a Spotlight be displayed?
Your Spotlight will be shown a minimum of 500 times — we call these "impressions." In reality, your Spotlight may run for more than 500 impressions, because we like to have a pool of different Spotlights to display, and we want each Spotlight in the pool to get a bit of attention before it leaves. We can't say exactly how many impressions your Spotlight will receive, but we guarantee it will be shown 500 times minimum.
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Can I pay for multiple Spotlights in one PayPal transaction?
Yes! You can buy Spotlights in packages of 5, 10 or 25, which you can use at your leisure. Once you've purchased a Spotlight package, Your number of Spotlight "credits" (unused Spotlights) will be displayed on your profile. Credits do not expire, and can be used at any time.
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Why don't I see the option to Spotlight other members' photos?
If you have no Spotlight credits remaining, you won't see the "Spotlight This!" button on other members' photos. You can visit our Spotlight page to purchase more Spotlights.
JPG Plus (+)
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What is JPG+?
JPG+ is JPG "plus" a bit of extra awesome.
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What are the benefits of JPG+?
When you join JPG+, all third-party advertising is removed from jpgmag.com; we give you a package of Spotlight credits to promote your photos, plus the ability to view and link to your photos in Lightbox mode, and download your own high-resolution original photos. We plan to introduce more benefits over time, at no additional cost. Have an idea for a feature you'd like us to include in the deal? Let us know!
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How can I request a JPG+ feature?
We're glad you asked! Just give us a holler!
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I upgraded to JPG+, but I'm not seeing any of my benefits. What gives?
Since the transactions are handled in the background, you may need to log out and then log in again.
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Will my JPG+ membership automatically renew at the end of my membership period?
Yes, your membership will renew automatically. However, you can easily change this preference in your profile if you'd rather it not automaticly renew. If you're logged in, go to http://jpgmag.com/account/plus and choose "Cancel automatic renewal."
Off-site promotions
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What is the "Off-site promotions" setting in my profile?
JPG may, from time to time, offer cross-promotional opportunities between JPG members and third-party sponsors or advertisers. Since JPG members own all rights to their respective works, the checkbox labeled "Don't include my work" is the default setting until you explicitly change it. If you would like to allow your photos to be used in promotions outside of JPG, you can uncheck this setting.
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Why would/wouldn't I want my photos to be included in off-site promotions?
Allowing your photos to be included in off-site promotions may enhance your exposure by allowing your work to be seen by a broader audience outside the JPG community. On the other hand, you may not want your photos associated with third-party services.
Safe filter
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What is the safe filter?
Since JPG is a site which welcomes people of all ages and interests, it may from time to time be necessary to filter certain photos — for instance, they may depict themes not suitable for workplace or family viewing. When you enable the safe filter, photos that have been filtered will appear covered with a grey label in photos, themes, favorites and profile views. Clicking on the label will still take you to the actual photo — the safe filter simply prevents "accidental" exposure. Additionally, when the safe filter is on, filtered photos will not be randomly shown to you for voting. Of course, you'll still be able to vote on such photos if you visit the photo pages directly.
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How do I enable the safe filter?
If you're logged in, go to http://jpgmag.com/account/profile and click the checkbox labeled "Enable safe viewing."
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How do I tag my photo to be filtered from safe viewing?
You can enable your photos to be filtered from safe views in one of two ways — either during the process of uploading your photo, or by editing it afterward. When uploading or editing a photo, click the checkbox labeled "Filter from safe viewing." Members who have their safe filters on won't see filtered photos without first clicking on them. NOTE: filtering your photos from safe viewing will not make them disappear from photo listings; they will simply be covered with a grey label to prevent disclosure except to those who specifically click to view them. These photos can still be submitted to themes, commented upon and voted on, just like any other photo.
