frequently asked questions
- What file formats do you use?
- Why don’t you use JPEG files with clipping paths?
- Why are some files so large?
- How much do the images cost?
- What’s the difference between Home and Commercial use images?
- What version of Photoshop do I need?
- Can I use the images with Photoshop Elements?
- Are all the people model-released?
- Would you like to see my etchings?
- Do you do requests?
What file formats do you use?
The format depends upon the nature of the image. Images are provided in three formats:
JPEG (.jpg) format is used for basic, flat images with no cutouts - backgrounds, skies, and so on. This produces small file sizes for quicker downloading.
TIFF (.tif) format is used for cutouts and images with transparency and multiple layers. File sizes are larger, but the cutouts are more precise than could be enabled by JPEG images with clipping paths.
JPEG2000 (.jpf) format is a newer version of JPEG that supports transparency. Most of the single layer TIFF files on this site are also available as JPEG 2000 images for faster download. Note: you’ll need to install the JPEG 2000 plug-in as it isn’t installed in Photoshop by default. You’ll find it on the Photoshop installation DVD/CD, and can also download a version of it here.
Photoshop (.psd) format is used for readymade images, which require this format in order to contain the Smart Objects that define the image surface. Smart Objects result in a large file size, so Photoshop files are compressed, along with the accompanying droplets and Read Me text tiles, into a single zip archive.
Why don’t you use JPEG files with clipping paths?
Clipping paths work well for objects with smooth, hard edges. But because so many cutouts on thefullmontage have soft or complex edges - hair, leaves, and so on - clipping paths would be inaccurate and inappropriate. JPEG files also can’t support transparency, which is essential for our glass objects. Also, TIFF files allow us to include multiple layers in front&back object series.
Why are some files so large?
Images in the readymade series use Smart Objects, which contain .psb (Photoshop large file) layers within them. This necessarily results in large file sizes, even if the images themselves are supplied at a small size. Some objects in other categories have multiple layers, which makes the file sizes larger.
We have a variable pricing structure. There are three different pricing categories:
A. Rarity value. These are images that are hard to find elsewhere - backgrounds, perspective surfaces, urban decay, and people. This is the lowest priced category.
B. Time savers. This includes images that have taken a lot of preparation - cutouts, transparency, multiview and front&back sections. These are medium priced images. Occasionally, an image in one of these categories will be marked down to a category A price, because of lower resolution or because the cutout wasn’t that complex.
C. Readymades. Readymade objects are in their own category because of their unique status.
Images are also available in two different sizes: a full resolution image, and a smaller one limited to a maximum dimension of 1000 pixels. These smaller images have two prices - a cheap one for home users, a higher price for commercial use. Home and commercial use small images are identical, but we’ve made the images affordable for those who want to use them in personal, unpublished projects.
What’s the difference between Home use and Commercial use images?
There’s no difference whatsoever, for the small sized files. We charge Home users less because we want them to be able to experiment with photomontage without having to pay commercial rates. All 1000-pixel images are available for both Home and Commercial use. The larger sized images are generally going to be of interest only to commercial users, so there’s no Home version of these images.
What version of Photoshop do I need?
You can use most of the images with any version of Photoshop. However, if you want to use readymade objects you’ll need Photoshop CS2 or higher, because these objects require the use of Smart Objects, which were introduced in Photoshop CS2. You will not be able to use these files with earlier versions of Photoshop.
Can I use the images with Photoshop Elements?
You can use all images except readymade objects with Photoshop Elements. Photoshop CS2 or higher is required in order to use readymade objects.
Are all the people model-released?
Yes, they are. But please bear in mind that all the images of people on this site are real, living people with families and employers. They won’t be happy if they see themselves depicted in obscene, scurrilous or otherwise unpleasant situations. Please consider their feelings as you incorporate their images into your montages. Full terms and conditions for use of images are available for both Home and Commercial users.
Would you like to see my etchings?
If you’re a photographer and you have some outstanding work to offer, then we’d love to hear from you. But thefullmontage is not, and never will be, a photographic marketplace in the manner of istockphoto and others. All images that appear here will be checked and, if necessary, modified and polished before being published on the site.
If you have images that you think are appropriate to thefullmontage, then please in the first instance email us some low resolution samples so we can make sure we’re on the same wavelength. Then we’ll talk.
Do you do requests?
If there’s a cutout, a background or an object you’d like to see included, we certainly want to know about it. Send us an email and explain what you’re looking for - we may well be able to help you out.