FAQ Table of Contents

Membership
Why does it say my username is taken?
Do I have to be a paying member to access my reviews and message center?
Why should I become a trial member?
What can I do as a trial member?
Will the stars and gavels I earned as a trial member transfer to my full membership?
Why should I become a full member?
What does being a full member cost?
How do I pay for my membership to The Photographers' Workshop?
I don't see a little lock at the bottom of the page, how do I know the site is secure?
How do I cancel my membership?

My Profile
What information can I access in My Darkroom?
How can I upload a photo to my profile?
How can I add/change my 100 word personal statement/biography?
How can I change my personal information, like my address?
Can I send messages to other photographers?
How do I use the "Ignore" function in my message box?
Can I change my username?
I lost my password, how can I retrieve it?

Prints
What are prints and what can I do with them?
How do I use my prints?

Reviews and Your Photography
The New Release page is blank, why?
How many people will view my photograph?
How can you guarantee reviews?
Why doesn't the "review this photo" link show up?
Why should I review other photographers' work?
I accidentally reviewed a photo as a 1 when I meant to make it a 5. How can I fix it?
Can I reply to reviews of my work?
How do I address offensive work?
Is there a limit to how many photographs I can publish?
When I search for my photographs it says I don't have any. That's not true, I've posted six, where are they?
Why don't I see my photograph on the new release list?
Where does my photograph go once it's been reviewed?
Can I get the same photograph reviewed again by different people?
What can I do if I feel a reviewers comment is unfair?

Rankings
What are stars and how do I earn them?
What are gavels and how do I earn them?
What ranks can I achieve through The Photographers' Workshop?
How can I achieve a higher rank?
How long does it take to move up in the rankings?
How can I get my photograph in the Top 100?

Awards
What are the titles and actual awards for various rankings?
Why haven't I received my awards yet?
How and when will you ship my awards?

Contests
What contests are available to members of The Photographers' Workshop?
The Puzzle Contest
Top Reviewer of the Day Contest
The Photo of the Day Contest

Content and Approval
What are the parameters for posting my photography on The Photographers' Workshop?
So, what about photographs modified in PhotoShop and programs like it?
Is it okay to post photographs that have been published elsewhere?
How do I upload my photograph(s)?
How do I re-post a photograph?
How do I delete a photograph I no longer wish to display to the public?
It says my photograph is pending. What does that mean?
Why is there an approval process?
Why do I have to rank my photograph as mature?
When will my photograph be approved?
My photograph was rejected during the approval process, why?
What is The Photographers' Workshop policy on nudity?

Photographers' Rights
If I publish my photograph on The Photographers' Workshop do I still own the copyright?
Am I allowed to sell my photographs at a later date?

Contact Us
How do I suggest changes?
Why haven't I received a reply to the email I sent you?
When is customer service available?

Picture.com
Are Picture.com and The Photographers' Workshop the same site?
Will my Photographers' Workshop submissions be published in Picture.com's anthologies?
So can I contact The Photographers' Workshop about a Picture.com order?

Miscellaneous
What do the smiley faces mean?
What does "content edited by The Photographers' Workshop" mean?
My HTML coding is not working, why?
What happened to the hyperlinks, video and music files I already had up?
How can I protect younger photographers?
How can I report abuse?

The Photographers' Workshop Frequently Asked Questions

Welcome to The Photographers' Workshop! Thank you very much for joining. We hope to provide a place to really improve your skill as a photograph, and to interact with other artists.

This FAQ should answer all of your questions. If you have any further questions or suggestions please contact us.

Membership

Why does it say my username is taken?
Make sure that you are logging into the site rather than trying to create a duplicate account with the same username by using the login at the top of the page rather than the "Join Now" button. Also, due to the high volume of members, the username you most commonly use may already have been claimed. Try modifying it slightly. For example, if you normally go by "kitty," try "kitty42" or "herekitty" etc.

Do not use profane or vulgar usernames and do not misrepresent yourself as a member of The Photographers' Workshop staff.

Do I have to be a paying member to access my reviews and message center?
Yes. Trial members have only limited access to the site. They may post only one photo and receive only three reviews. They cannot access the messaging system, and they can only read the first few words of their reviews.

Trial Membership
Why should I become a trial member?
The trial membership is designed to give new users a little taste of The Photographers' Workshop.

What can I do as a trial member?
Trial members must review seven new releases in order to earn a print, at which time they can post one photograph. Trial members are only permitted to post one photograph, can only read partial reviews, and cannot use the messaging feature. To enjoy these features and many others, we advise trying out a full membership for a month. We think you'll stay.

Will the stars and gavels I earned as a trial member transfer to my full membership?
Yes. If you keep the same user-name and upgrade from a trial membership to a full membership all of the stars, gavels, and prints you have accumulated will transfer. However, if you start a new account none of these items will transfer.

Full Membership
Why should I become a full member?
Full membership to The Photographers' Workshop allows users to read reviews they receive in full, rate reviewers with gavels, message other members and earn fabulous awards as they move up the ranks. Full members can post one picture per day, prints permitting, and will learn a great deal about the craft during their time at The Photographers' Workshop.

What does being a full member cost?
Monthly memberships cost $5.95, including two prints.
Quarterly memberships cost 15, with eight prints included.
Yearly memberships cost $45, and include forty prints.

Paid members can also earn an unlimited number of prints by reviewing new releases.

You will receive one print for every seven new releases you review.

Payment
How do I pay for my membership to The Photographers' Workshop?
The easiest and fastest way to pay for your membership is via credit card through our 128-bit secure payment site. We accept Visa, MasterCard, and Discover. We do not accept American Express or Diner's Club cards. Your payment will be processed immediately.

If you do not have a credit card, or would prefer to pay through the mail, you can send your payment to:

The Photographers' Workshop
RE: Membership Payment
3600 Crondall Lane
Suite 101
Owings Mills, Maryland 21117

We only accept yearly memberships through the mail because of the processing time. We accept checks and money orders. Do not send cash. The Photographers' Workshop will not be held responsible for any cash payments as they are easily lost or stolen. We will process your order as quickly as possible.

I don't see a little lock at the bottom of the page, how do I know the site is secure?
Right click on the payment page of The Photographers' Workshop. Click on "properties." The document that comes up will specify that our page has a 128-bit encryption and is therefore secure. If you have further questions about web page we would advise visiting Microsoft's website.

Cancellation
How do I cancel my membership?
You may cancel your membership in The Photographers' Workshop at any time. Simply log in to the site, go to "My Darkroom," click on "Profile," then "Cancel Membership." Your photos will be deleted from the site. You will no longer be charged membership fees. However, the comments you have made about other photographers' works will remain.

My Profile

What information can I access in My Darkroom?
My Darkroom is your personal reference center. From this area you can access your profile, including your biography, picture and contact information. You can also access your complete portfolio including all of the photographs you have posted, all of the reviews you've written, all of the reviews you've received, and the message center.

How can I upload a photo to my profile?
From the main page click on "My Darkroom." You will be taken to the "Your Profile" page. Scroll down and select "Add/change photo." Hit browse to select an image from your computer. Press "Open," and then "Submit." Profile photographs cannot exceed 50k.

How can I add/change my 100 word personal statement/biography?
From the main page click on "My Darkroom." You will be taken to the "Your Profile" page. Scroll down and select "Change your 100 word personal statement."

How can I change my personal information, like my address?
To change confidential information like your name, address, and password, go to My Darkroom and scroll down to the bottom of the page. You will see a light orange area with the phrase "Confidential information which is never available on the website except to you" at the top. Click on any of the links below to change your personal information. This is a secure area of the site and no one else can see this information.

Can I send messages to other photographers?
Yes. Just go to that photographer's page and select "send this photographer a message." Please note that attacks and threats against other members will not be tolerated. If abuse is reported we will examine the exchange and take any necessary disciplinary action. Repeat offenders will have their accounts terminated without a refund.

How do I use the "Ignore" function in my message box?
The "ignore" function allows you to block messages from another photographer. To place a photographer on your ignore list, click the ignore button next to a message they sent you. All messages they've sent you will vanish, and you will get no more messages from that photographer. To remove a photographer from your ignore list, go to your profile page. Under the link to upload a photo, you will see the list of photographers you've ignored. Remove the check, and click submit. That photographer will be able to message you again.

Can I change my username?
No. At this time there is no way to change a username without starting a new account. Please note that we cannot transfer any stars, gavels, or reviews if you open a new account. You will start over.

I lost my password, how can I retrieve it?
Click on the "Forgot Password?" link on the login screen located at www.thephotographersworkshop.com. This will take you to a page where you can enter your e-mail address. We will e-mail your password to that address, as long as the address you enter matches the address in our records.

Prints

What are prints and what can I do with them?
Prints are the currency of The Photographers' Workshop. Members of The Photographers' Workshop move up in the ranks by posting and reviewing a high volume of photographs. To post your images you must earn prints. There are several ways to do this:

  1. When you sign up for a full membership you will automatically receive prints. Monthly members receive two prints immediately, and an additional two prints for every month they stay paid members thereafter. Quarterly members automatically receive eight prints, and accumulate eight more every quarter thereafter. Yearly members receive forty prints when they sign up, and forty prints every year thereafter, as long as they remain paid members in good standing.
  2. You can earn prints by reviewing new releases. This is the only way for trial members to earn a print and post their first photograph. This is also the best way for paid members to earn additional prints. In this way the review process is beneficial to both the photographer being reviewed and the reviewer.
  3. You can purchase additional prints at any time. On the side of the page where your stars, gavels etc are listed there is an option to "purchase prints." Simply click on it and select the number of prints you would like to purchase. The costs are as follows:
Five (5) prints cost $10.00
Twelve (12) prints cost $20.00
Twenty (20) prints cost $30.00

How do I use my prints?
Using your prints is easy. Every picture you post on The Photographers' Workshop costs one print. Full members are guaranteed seven reviews, including seven scores, for every photograph they post. If you wish to re-post, which will put your photograph back on the new release list, it will cost you two prints. You can only re-post a single photograph three times, for a total of four appearances on the new release list. Photographs that are rejected during the approval process will have their prints refunded.

Reviews and Your Photography

New Releases The New Release page is blank, why?
Because the site is so young sometimes we are going to run out of new releases. This problem will be eliminated as membership increases. We truly appreciate your patience.

Reviews How many people will view my photograph?
The possibilities are endless. As a full member you are guaranteed seven reviews. After that you can receive more reviews by re-posting your photograph (limited to three re-postings) or when people visit your portfolio. The better your work, the more likely you are to get additional reviews.

The number of reviews you receive also depends on your behavior on The Photographers' Workshop, your fan base and the way you promote your work. If you, for example, review others' photographs they are more likely to review yours.

Remember, your photographs are on the site permanently (unless you delete them), so the potential for reviews is unlimited.

How can you guarantee reviews?
When you post your photograph to The Photographers' Workshop its first stop is the approval department, and from there it is instantly transferred to the new release list. Full members' photographs stay on the new release list until they have received seven reviews (three reviews for trial members).

As they review photos, judges are directed to the new release pages first. There are so many members of The Photographers' Workshop, all eager to help you achieve your goals by providing you with their honest opinion of your work, that they generate literally thousands of reviews each day.

Why doesn't the "review this photo" link show up?
The review link does not appear on trial member photography after they received their three reviews. It will also not appear if you have already reviewed the work in question, or if you are the photographer that posted it.

Why should I review other photographers' work?
There are many excellent reasons for reviewing the work of others. Reviewing and critiquing the works of other photographers in an honest and helpful manner is one of the most important aspects of our community, and can be a satisfying and rewarding experience. Analyzing others' work can also teach you something about your own. We encourage honest reviews that will have a positive effect on the photographer. Your review should be honest, but please use constructive criticism--something that will help the photographer improve his or her artistry in the future. In order to assure passion and consistency in judging, reviewers of other photographers' work also become ranked for helpfulness as judges by the actual photographers who receive the reviews. Reviewers also receive rankings and actual awards for their efforts.

By reviewing the works of others, you also gain prints that you can use to post additional photographs of your own. You will earn one print for every seven new release photos you review.

I accidentally reviewed a photo as a 1 when I meant to make it a 5. How can I fix it?
If you notice the error immediately you may be able to correct it by using the "Back" button on your browser. Unfortunately once your review is submitted there is no way to change this. The best course of action is to send the photographer a message apologizing for the mistake.

Can I reply to reviews of my work?
Absolutely! We encourage all photographers' to respond to their reviews. Just click on "rate this review for gavels" when reading your reviews. Give the photographer a rating based on the helpfulness of his or her review, and feel free to leave a comment regarding that review in the box provided.

If you wish to strike up a conversation with the reviewer about their review you can send them a message through your message center.

How do I address offensive work?
The Photographers' Workshop is an open forum of artistic endeavor. We do police the site for obscenity or other questionable content, but art is subjective. The best way to handle photographs you don't like, for whatever reason, is to avoid viewing that photographer's work in the future.

My Photography
Is there a limit to how many photographs I can publish?
Full members are permitted to publish one photograph per day, every day, prints permitting. The day starts at 12:00 am Eastern Standard Time. Essentially you can publish up to 365 photographs on The Photographers' Workshop in a year, 366 in a leap year.

When I search for my photographs it says I don't have any. That's not true, I've posted six, where are they?
If your photograph does not show up when you use the search tool, try again using "Search By Name" form. It is imperative that titles and names are spelled correctly when searching, so double-check your spelling. The search will only find exact names; there are no Boolean inquiries.

Photographs posted to other sites run by The International Library of Photography will not automatically post to The Photographers' Workshop.

Why don't I see my photograph on the new release list?
There are several possibilities:

  1. Your photograph has received seven reviews and "fallen off" the new release page. (It is still available under your username, and in the category to which it was posted.)
  2. The new release list is several pages long, so your photograph may not appear on the first page. You can locate it by browsing the new release list.
  3. Your photograph is still pending approval.

Where does my photograph go once it's been reviewed?
Your photo is always kept on The Photographers' Workshop website, and resides on your personal home page on the site. After it moves off the New Releases list, it is indexed by the subject category you choose for it and becomes searchable in several ways. Your photo can be found using your username, the photo title, or can be found by people who simply browse through photos in the subject category you have chosen.

Can I get the same photograph reviewed again by different people?
Yes. You can re-post your photograph at a cost of two prints and it will appear on the New Release list until you receive seven additional reviews.

What can I do if I feel a reviewers comment is unfair?
The Photographers' Workshop is an open forum for honest and highly personal feedback designed to improve the work of member photographers. We encourage honest reviews that have a positive effect on the photographer and that will help the photographer improve his or her artistry in the future. Occasionally you will receive a review that you feel is unfair. There are several remedies available to you if you feel a review is unfair:

  1. You may let the review stand and provide a response to the review, which is displayed directly under the review itself.
  2. You can communicate directly with the reviewer.
  3. If the comment is profane or offensive you may wish to report it to The Photographers' Workshop staff for investigation.
  4. As a last resort you may elect to delete the photo from display altogether. Note: If you choose to delete the photo all reviews will be deleted, and your scores for that photo will no longer counted in your star bank.
Please bear in mind that you will not always like what a reviewer has to say. Do not respond to members with anger. Attacks and name-calling will not be tolerated. The Photographers' Workshop staff will resolve any "flame wars" that erupt. Those involved may have their accounts terminated without a refund.

Rankings

What are stars and how do I earn them?
As full members post each of their photographs, they will receive seven written, narrative reviews from photographers who judge their work. The photo will also receive a number of stars (from one to five) from each of these reviewers. Stars are accumulated in your "star bank." You will gain access to different titles and rankings within the community, and will be presented with actual awards, based on your star bank.

What are gavels and how do I earn them?
Photographers are asked to comment on the helpfulness of their reviewers. These comments take the form of a rating system of one to five gavels. Gavels are accumulated in your "gavel bank." You will gain access to different titles and rankings as a judge within the community, and will be presented with actual awards based on your gavel bank.

What ranks can I achieve through The Photographers' Workshop?
Photographers start out as a scholar and can move up to the National Photographer Laureate level.
Reviewers start out as scholar and can move up to the National Judge Advocate level.
For a full chart featuring star and gavel totals for each ranking, and corresponding awards, click here.

How can I achieve a higher rank?
Quite simply, by submitting and reviewing original photographs. Your honest and helpful feedback will move you up in the ranks of reviewers, and eventually you will become a National Judge Advocate. Likewise, by submitting quality photos and improving your art every time you go out to shoot, you can achieve the rank of National Photographer Laureate. These levels have a great deal of honor associated with them, as well as certificates and other awards that will actually be delivered to you through the mail.

How long does it take to move up in the rankings?
That depends on you and the quality of your artistry. The more photographs you post, and the higher the quality, the more reviews and stars you receive. There is no limit to the number of photographs you can publish on The Photographers' Workshop, as long as you have prints available. However, you may submit no more than one photo per day. Better photos naturally receive higher star ratings, and will move you up faster.
Let's say you receive a total of seventeen (17) stars for a published photo. This is a pretty average score for a photograph with seven reviews. Image you received scores of 4 stars, 3 stars, 3 stars, 2 stars, 2 stars, 2 stars, and 1 star. You will move up to the rank of "Proficient Level Photographer" when you achieve a total of forty-one (41) Stars--or about three photos with average reviews.

How can I get my photograph in the Top 100?
There is a Top 100 list of photos in each subject category. The photos shown on each Top 100 list are the individual photos that have received the most number of stars for photos in that category. The list reflects the number of stars earned per photograph since site's inception. Your photo initially earns stars through your seven reviews. You can accumulate additional stars for an individual photo by resubmitting it for review (at a cost of two prints), when reviewers visit your portfolio and elect to review your pictures, or through reviewers commenting on your work while browsing by category. You can only re-post a picture three times for a total of four appearances on the new release list.

Awards

What are the titles and actual awards for various rankings?
There are two groups of titles and rankings: photographer rankings and reviewer rankings. They are as follows:

Photographer Rankings and Requirements
Photographers are rated by stars as follows:

Title Star Bank Experience Award
Scholar Less than 200 Stars At least 1 month
Proficient 201-300 Stars At least 1 month
Experienced 301-400 Stars At least 1 month  
Skilled 401-500 Stars At least 3 months (see A)
Talented 501-700 Stars At least 3 months  
Gifted 701-900 Stars At least 6 months (see B)
Professional 901-1100 Stars At least 6 months  
Expert 1101-3000 Stars At least 9 months (see C)
Master 3001-5000 Stars At least 9 months
Photographer Laureate 5001-10000 Stars At least 12 months (see D)
National Photographer Laureate More than 10000 Stars At least 18 months  

Reviewer Rankings and Requirements
Reviewers are rated by gavels as follows:

Title Gavel Bank Experience Award
Scholar Less than 200 Gavels At least 1 month
Proficient 201-300 Gavels At least 1 month
Experienced 301-400 Gavels At least 1 month  
Skilled 401-500 Gavels At least 3 months (see E)
Talented 501-700 Gavels At least 3 months  
Gifted 701-900 Gavels At least 6 months (see F)
Professional 901-1100 Gavels At least 6 months  
Expert 1101-3000 Gavels At least 9 months (see G)
Master 3001-5000 Gavels At least 9 months
Judge Advocate 5001-10000 Gavels At least 12 months (see H)
National Judge Advocate More than 10000 Gavels At least 18 months  

Why haven't I received my awards yet?
There are a number of reasons you may not have received your awards. Please keep the following in mind:

  1. Awards are distributed when both the ranking and time criteria are met.
  2. If your mailing address is incorrect in the system you will not receive your awards. It is imperative that your contact information be accurate and up-to-date. The Photographers' Workshop is not responsible for undeliverable awards. Please keep this in mind.
  3. Shipping takes time. You will not receive your award, for example, the same day that you achieve "Judge Advocate" status.
  4. The Photographers' Workshop has thousands of members. It takes a great deal of time and manpower to process thousands of awards. Please be patient, your awards are on the way.

How and when will you ship my awards?
Your awards will be automatically shipped to you as soon as you achieve the appropriate rankings to earn the award.

Contests

What contests are available to members of The Photographers' Workshop?
There are three ongoing contests on The Photographers Workshop, the puzzle contest, the Top Reviewer of the Day contest, and the Photo of the Day contest. There is no entry fee for these contests. Winners are selected by The Photographers' Workshop Editorial Department, not other members of The Photographers' Workshop. Decisions of the judges are final.

The Puzzle Contest
Winners receive a one-month free membership. This contest is only open to full members.
To play click on the "Puzzle Contest" tab at the top of your screen. Try to solve the puzzle by moving the pieces into the correct positions in the fewest number of moves. When you are done submit your entry (a bar will appear below the puzzle allowing you to do this). The winner is determined by examining the twenty-one (21) entrants closest to the random time. Within those twenty-one people the person who solved the puzzle in the fewest number of moves. More information can be found on the contest entry screen.

Top Reviewer of the Day Contest
Full members are awarded $25.00, and trial members are awarded a free quarterly membership (weekends and holidays are excluded). Anyone may enter. The twenty-five reviewers with the greatest number of actual reviews (not the reviewers with the highest gavel ratings) are evaluated by The Photographers' Workshop Editorial Department for the quality of the reviews. The person from among those top twenty-five reviewers whom our editors believe has written the most relevant, helpful, and honest reviews is selected as the winner. Copying and pasting the same review into multiple accounts will disqualify you from winning the reviewer of the day contest. Members can only win this contest once per week.

The Photo of the Day Contest
The Top Photo of the Day is selected from the top twenty-five star-earners of the previous day. The Editorial Board will examine each photograph and pick a winner based on the photograph's merits. The photograph is selected by the editorial board, and not by members of The Photographers' Workshop, to preserve impartiality and prevent cheating. The Photo of the Day is awarded daily. All users are automatically entered to win when they submit their work.

Please note, The Photographers' Workshop is not connected with the photography contest at Picture.com. If you have a question regarding the open photography competition please go to www.picture.com, or call 410.363.4800 for customer service.

Content and Approval

What are the parameters for posting my photography on The Photographers' Workshop?

  1. At this time images cannot exceed 5 MB in size. An image at 180 dpi should, for example, not exceed 600 x 600 pixels.
  2. Images must be photographs. You are welcome to modify your images in computer programs such as PhotoShop, so long as all elements contained in said modification are yours and yours alone. Please note that the photo has been manipulated in the comments field of your post.
  3. Photographs must be somewhat clear and of sufficient quality. If an image is too blurry or pixelated it will be rejected. We are as lenient as possible with this policy, but it is unfair to expect members to review a photograph of insufficient quality/clarity.

So, what about photographs modified in PhotoShop and programs like it?
Go for it. We have revised this policy based on our members' desire to post photo-manipulations. We ask that, when posting a manipulated photo, the photographer says as much in the comments field. Other than that, the rules remain the same. Please note, under no circumstances will pictures combining members' original images with copyrighted images be permitted. Every element of every photo-manipulation must be your own.

Is it okay to post photographs that have been published elsewhere?
As long as the photo is your own work, you may submit previously published photography.

How do I upload my photograph(s)?
When you log in to The Photographers' Workshop go to the "Submit" tab at the top of the page.

Uploading is a two-step process.

Fill out the information in Step One, including the title of the image, any comments you wish to add, any keywords you wish to reference, and rank your photograph for content. Press "Submit." The page will reload featuring red text that says "Your information has been sent successfully. You can upload your photo now." Proceed to Step Two.

In Step Two hit the "Browse" button. Locate the photograph you wish to upload. Select it and hit "Open" or "OK." A line of text that looks a bit like a web address will fill in the box next to the Browse button. Now hit submit!

Your photograph will now go through the approval process and should be on the New Release list shortly.

Remember that images cannot exceed 5MB in size, and should not be heavily modified in Photoshop or similar programs.

So, How do I re-post a photograph?
Go to "My Darkroom" and select "My Portfolio." Click on the image you want to resubmit. That image will open in a new page. When it does you will see two options below the photograph: "delete photo" and "resubmit photo." Select "resubmit photo." A new page will open asking you to confirm your selection. If you wish to resubmit, select "yes" and hit "Submit." Your photograph will automatically show up on the "New Release" page, and two prints will be deducted from your print bank.

How do I delete a photograph I no longer wish to display to the public?
You may delete a photo at any time simply by logging into the site, going to "My Darkroom," then "Portfolio." Find the photo in question on your portfolio page and check the box that says "Delete this Photo." Please note that you will lose all stars and reviews associated with the photograph you are deleting.

It says my photograph is pending. What does that mean?
This means that your has not yet been approved by the editorial board.

Why is there an approval process?
It is our desire to ensure all images on The Photographers' Workshop are of a reasonable quality, and are inoffensive. The only way to do this is to manually approve or reject every photograph that is posted on the web site.

Why do I have to rank my photograph as mature?
We ask that all members posting nudes or potentially offensive material give it an adult ranking. Internet Explorer can be set to block these adult images, thus protecting younger and more sensitive members.

When will my photograph be approved?
Generally speaking, photographs are approved between 8:00 and 9:00 am Eastern Standard Time, between 12:00 and 1:00 pm EST, and between 4:00 and 5:00 pm EST Monday through Friday. Weekend approval is pending.

My photograph was rejected during the approval process, why?
There are a number of reasons that The Photographers' Workshop editorial board rejects photographs. These are:

  • Corrupt file
  • Insufficient quality
  • Studio (i.e. Wal-Mart or Sears portraits)
  • Copyright/Website
  • Licensed
  • Child nudity
  • Offensive photo (including excessive violence, gore, graphic nudity)
  • Offensive title/caption
  • Artwork/non-photo
  • Artificial/enhanced (heavy editing, painterly and obvious lighting effects, etc)
  • Other
Remember, your photograph must be your own, original work, and it must be a photograph. If you are still not sure why your photograph was rejected, please read our Terms of Use and the remainder of the FAQ.

What is The Photographers' Workshop policy on nudity?
Artistic nudes are permitted on this site. We will not allow graphic displays or pornography of any kind. All nude models must be over the age of eighteen. There are absolutely no exceptions to this rule. Members posting child nudity will be reported to the authorities. The Photographers' Workshop staff reserves the right to judge what is and is not considered "artistic" and reject any and all inappropriate images. NOTE: All nudes must be rated as mature in step one of the approval process.

Photographers' Rights

If I publish my photograph on The Photographers' Workshop do I still own the copyright?
Absolutely. Copyright attaches to a work from the moment it is put into a tangible form of expression: by law you have established your copyright as soon as you have taken the photo. Likewise, as soon as you publish your work on The Photographers' Workshop you and you alone own the copyright to that work.
Many people confuse owning a copyright with registering a copyright. In general, copyright registration is a legal formality intended to make a public record of the basic facts of a particular copyright. It is not necessary to register your copyright in order to have copyright protection.

Am I allowed to sell my photographs at a later date?
Publishing your photograph on The Photographers' Workshop leaves you free to do whatever you want with your photographs. If you wish to sell your work go right ahead and do so. The images are yours absolutely.

Contact Us

How do I suggest changes?
Easy. Click Here.

Why haven't I received a reply to the email I sent you?
It is imperative that you include your user ID in all correspondence with The Photographers' Workshop. Additional information, such as your user name, is also very helpful. If we do not have this information we cannot look you up in the system, and therefore cannot solve your problem. In addition, The Photographers' Workshop is a very popular website. Due to the high volume of email our customer service department gets, it could take several days or even weeks to get a response. We are working hard to ensure the fastest response time possible and appreciate your patience and understanding.

When is customer service available?
Our customer service team works Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, Eastern Standard Time.

Picture.com

Are Picture.com and The Photographers' Workshop the same site?
No. While both sites are owned and run by The International Library of Photography, they are separate sites with separate staffs and separate addresses.

Will my Photographers' Workshop submissions be published in Picture.com's anthologies?
No. The Photographers' Workshop is a separate site from Picture.com.

So can I contact The Photographers' Workshop about a Picture.com order?
No. The Photographers' Workshop staff will not be able to help you with Picture.com orders. Customer service for Picture.com can be reached at 1.410.363.4800.

Miscellaneous

What do the smiley faces mean?
The smiley faces appear next to the names of members that are actively logged into the site.

What does "content edited by The Photographers' Workshop" mean?
This is the message we use to replace reviews that violate our Terms of Use. Photography removed from the site by photographer request will sometimes have this message as well.

My HTML coding is not working, why?
Due to performance issues, The Photographers' Workshop has disabled all member HTML coding, including hyperlinks, video footage and music files. While investigating member complaints and suggestions, we discovered that many issues occur due to improper HTML coding and/or additions to member profiles. Because of this, HTML coding and such additions are no longer permitted.

What happened to the hyperlinks, video and music files I already had up?
Because of the issues mentioned above, all HTML coding and additions to member profiles and poems is being removed as our staff encounters it.

How can I protect younger photographers?
We support parental controls for viewing content by young photographers. As such, all photos posted by members of The Photographers' Workshop are labeled by the photographers for content in three categories: language, sex, and violence. Each category rates the photo on a score from 0 to 4 (4 being the most adult-like) which corresponds to the content ratings built into Internet Explorer's browser controls. You can preset the parental controls from the browser by entering the content advisor in Internet Explorer (go to "Tools" then "Internet Options"). After the controls are set, your child will be able to freely browse the site, but will not be able to view content that is rated higher than what you set.

How can I report abuse?
If you believe that someone has violated our Community Guidelines or Terms of Use please click here to report it to our Administrative Group. Action will be taken as soon as possible. There are also two on-site moderators, "The Mod" and "Capt_Beatdown," that can help resolve user issues.

That's all, ladies and gents!
Enjoy your time at The Photographers' Workshop!