Information About Pixstel What is "Pixstel"? Who is Pixstel For? Do I Need to Register to Use Pixstel? How do I Find Images? Can I Buy the Images? How Much do they Cost? What if a Download Fails? What is the Quality Like? Can I Add My Pictures to Pixstel? How Can I Contact Pixstel?

What is "Pixstel"?

Pixstel is a group of photographers, each one an experienced expert in their field of interest, who have come together through this website to offer you quality images. Our pictures are available either as royalty-free downloads for immediate editorial use or by arrangement for commercial purposes.

Pixstel is dedicated to providing the best possible pictures at a price which is fair to both the client and photographer.

Pixstel is efficient. Our pictures are easy to find and available for immediate download. Our simple licensing and pricing scheme is hassle free and eliminates the time and effort required to negotiate fees.

Pixstel is safe. Our free proofing service means you can download a proofing version of the "master file" to try before you buy. And any purchase you do make is handled by the secure services of PayPal.

Pixstel is fast. Google rates our site as faster than 97% of sites on the web (May 2011), and our service aims to be equally responsive.

Who is Pixstel For?

Pixstel is designed primarily for anyone who uses images for editorial purposes. Our aim is to save the picture editor / researcher time and money. We believe it is possible for the client to research their subject and come away with the images that meet their needs in just a few minutes. Key features which help achieve this include:

• Simple but powerful keyword search of all or any one of our collections
   
• Pictures are indexed in depth - by people who know the subject
   
• Interactive browsing lets you quickly see what images are available in a wide range of subjects and themes - either on their own or in combination.
   
• A very simple licensing and pricing model - no need to spend time negotiating terms. (view the License pdf file)
   
• Pictures are available for immediate download, ready to use.
   
• Our free proofing service allows you to download a watermarked version of the high resolution image. You can use this for test prints, trying out layouts and be sure that you are using the same underlying image as that available for purchase.

But Pixstel is just not for editors - many of our images are suited to commercial applications. Please feel free to make enquiries. We also think our easy to use interface and quality presentation make Pixstel a pleasure to use for subject enthusiasts and those who simply enjoy looking at fine photography. If a particular image takes your fancy, we offer an easy way to order prints online.

Do I Need to Register to Use Pixstel?

No, Pixstel is open to all. You are free to look at what we have, and you can buy prints or gifts. However registering does have advantages

• option to purchase and download high resolution image files
   
• a personal account page which keeps track of all your purchases
   
• access to full size proofing images at no cost
   
• use of a sophisticated personal lightbox facility
   

Registration is free, with no commitment to buy. Pixstel will not pass your personal details to any other organisation, and we do not hold any financial information.

How do I Find Images?

Pixstel offers two methods of finding images.

1. Keyword search. Our images are indexed in detail by people who know their subject. All keywords, captions and descriptions can be searched by simply typing a term or phrase in the search box found on the home page or search page.

   If you are not sure of the exact spelling or form of the word to use, you can use a "wild card" (*). For example "photo*" would find any image which is indexed using the terms 'photograph', 'photographer', 'photo', 'photos' etc.

2. Interactive browsing. If you select a particular collection (either on the home page or search page), you will be presented with a list of drop down selection boxes in the left hand margin.

   Initially, you will be shown all the images in the collection, but, by making selections from the dropdowns, you can easily refine this display to show only those images of interest. The results are immediate, and you can combine 2 or more selections for precise results.

Can I Buy the Images?

Yes, all Pixstel images are for sale for editorial or personal use. We are also happy to consider requests for commercial use, providing the image can be legally licensed for the desired purpose.

Images may be purchased as either high resolution downloads or prints and gifts.

High resolution downloads can be acquired directly from the Pixstel website. Simply click on any thumbnail image and you will be shown the display page with information about the image. Included here is a "Buy This Image File" link. Click on this and you will see your purchase options. These are

1. Single image download. Buy a copy of the image with its royalty free usage license (view the pdf file) and you can use the image in any editorial way you choose, as often as you like, for as long as you like.

2. Subscription options. We offer a range of subscription packages with significant savings on cost per image. Each subscription gives you credit for a number of downloads within a specified period of time ranging from 5 images over 30 days to 20 images over 90 days. Once subscribed, you can return to Pixstel at any time during the subscription period to download further images.

   Your subscription entitles you to use any of the images currently on the site plus any new images or collections added during the subscription period.

3. We also offer a special 'small' image download at a reduced price - ideal for web applications or print use up to 3 x 3 inches.

When you have decided on your purchase, a few clicks will take you through the checkout system. We use PayPal to handle the financial side of things, both for ease of use and the security and assurance provided. Note that you do not need a PayPal account to use PayPal - you can pay by credit card or a range of other methods.

Once payment has been cleared (usually instantly) the download file is released for you to save to your computer.

Prints and gifts are available via the Photobox Pro Gallery service. Pixstel has selected Photobox to produce our prints and gifts due to the range and quality of their products as well as their excellent customer service.

From an image display page, you can select the "Buy Prints and Gifts" option. This will take you to a copy of the image held in a Photobox Pro Gallery. While the image may appear slightly different on the screen, rest assured that the prints are made from the same high resolution files used by the Pixstel website.

Once you are in the Photobox Pro Gallery, you can select from a wide range of print and giftware options.

Please note that any purchases made through the Photobox Pro Gallery are processed entirely by Photobox and subject to the terms and conditions of the Photobox service.

How Much do they Cost?

Pixstel prices its images at a point we beleive is both fair to the customer and photographer - and we've done our best to keep it simple.

A single high resolution download costs just £40.00 / $80 / €60, and with our royalty free licence that price includes the right to use the image in any editorial context you choose, wherever you want, as often and for as long as you need. No need to worry about reproduction sizes or print runs. One payment covers it all. For web or small size print reproduction, our small size file downloads cost just £10 / $20 / €15

But at Pixstel we're more interested in repeat business than one-off sales, so we offer some very attractive subscription packages:

• 5 image / 30 day subscription for £150 / $300 / €225 (£30 / $60 / €45 per image)
• 10 image / 60 day subscription for £200 / $400 / €300 (£20 / $40 / €30 per image)
• 20 image / 90 day subscription for £300 / $600 / €450 (£15 / $20 / €22.50 per image)

(subscriptions expire after the specified number of images or time period, whichever comes first)

We think you'll find our print and gift prices very competitive as well, starting at just 80 pence (plus P&P). You can view a complete list of our products and prices.

What if a Download Fails?

Pixstel has gone to great pains to ensure the reliability of our service but there is always the chance of technical failure - or maybe just a power cut. Should this occur while you are downloading a file, you may lose the image.

We address this by keeping a record of every image you purchase with a unique transaction identifier. These are listed in your personal "account page". In addition, both you and Pixstel will have an independent record from PayPal of your purchased downloads. Any image listed on your account page can be downloaded again at no additional charge.

Although Pixstel may remove certain images from our collections, we guarantee to keep any purchased images available for at least 30 days from your date of purchase.

What is the Quality Like?

We won't try and convince you of our image quality - our free proofing service will let you judge this for yourself. But there are a few things you may need to know about our photos

• image sizes are a minimum of 3000px (longest side) - most are larger than this
   
• images are supplied as uncompressed jpeg files in the sRGB colour space
   
• images are produced using high-end digital cameras or high resolution film scanners

Can I Add My Pictures to Pixstel?

Joining Pixstel is by invitation only. New contributors are selected based on a number of factors including their ability as photographers and subject expertise. In addition we consider whether a photographer extends the scope of Pixstel, and can provide the type of image our customers want. Pixstel makes a considerable investment in storing and indexing images, so we need to be confident they will earn their keep.

With the above in mind, Pixstel is happy to consider a request to contribute to our collections. Typically a Pixstel photographer will

• be an experienced photographer with particular expertise in one or more specialized subjects
   
• use high end camera equipment
   
• have a track record of published material
   
• have a thorough understanding of their subject area and be willing and capable of writing authoritative captions and descriptions for their images.

In addition, a potential contributor will need to demonstrate how their work extends the scope of Pixstel. Please note that Pixstel is very interested in developing new specialist collections for new subject areas. If, for example, you are a dedicated photographer of clocks, we'd like to hear from you.

While our requirements may be high, Pixstel treats its photographers well

• up to 75% commission on sales
   
• no restrictions on how you may use your images elsewhere
   
• one of the most efficient upload processes in the business
   
• very low key editorial control

In short, at Pixstel we respect our photographers and trust their judgment and abilities.

You can view our full terms and conditions here (Terms & Conditions pdf)

If you believe Pixstel is the place for some or all of your images, please contact Pixstel providing a bit of background about yourself, your areas of interest and a link to some of your work. Please do not send images direct, these will be deleted and won't be viewed.

How Do I Contact Pixstel

Pixstel is very much an internet based business, so the best way to contact us is via email at pixstel@pixstel.com

You can write to us at

     Pixstel
     Suite 281
     151 Highstreet
     Southampton, UK
     SO14 2BT

Should you need to contact someone urgently, then phone +44 (0)797 627 4715