Processing Guidlines for Editorial Stock?

[bbailey]

What is the best way to handle the processing of images that would be used for editorial stock photography? Since the photos could be used by publications with strict processing guidelines, is it best to not do anything more than white balance (if that) and let the publication take care of the processing? Or is it expected to have basic image processing (contrast, etc) already taken care of?

Just something I was curious about.

[PeteQ]

Editorial here meaning newspaper or magazine news images....

When it comes to editorial images it is best not to do any post work at all. Leave that to the editors as they are in the best position to determine what is and isn't acceptable in their publication. Not only that, they can/will make adjustments that are particular to the device the image will be output on. Newspaper, magazine, web all have different needs.

You should always ask what format they want, but typically I am asked to send a jpg version of the RAW image with no adjustments. If they need more they know I have the RAW and can upload it if need be for more than their basic cropping, output adjustments.

Best bet, leave it alone and keep a copy of the RAW file in case there are any issues.

[bbailey]

Ok, that's what I figured. What got me curious was browsing Photoshelter and wondering how photographers decide what format to upload etc, since they can take all kinds.