Photo uploads
Finished image files enter the private Photos library first. After processing, you decide which photographs can appear in the public portfolio.
On this page
Before you upload
- Use JPEG in sRGB for the most predictable web color and file size. PNG, WebP, HEIC, HEIF, and TIFF are also accepted.
- Each file can be up to 25 MB on Free or 100 MB on Plus. A smaller finished export normally uploads faster and is sufficient for a portfolio.
- Develop RAW files in your source editor and export a supported image. You can crop, straighten, adjust light and color, and make local edits in Studio on Free and Plus while preserving the uploaded original.
- Give exported files useful names if that helps your workflow, but review the public title and alt text in Studio rather than relying on filenames as finished copy.
Prepare photos you intend to sell
Upload the finished resolution you want the buyer to receive, rather than a small web-only export. Choose a full-resolution JPEG with published edits and crop, or the unchanged original upload, in the photo’s Downloads tab. Leave permanent watermarks off that source file; optional viewing-image watermarks do not appear on purchased downloads.
Upload to the Photos library
- Open Photos
In Studio, open Photos and select Add photos. You can also upload inside a gallery when the photos belong there immediately.
- Choose files
Select or drop one or more supported image files. Before upload, step through the selected files to review the title, caption, alt text, categories, visibility, and focal point.
- Choose visibility
Use Draft when the image should remain private while you edit or place it. Use Public when it is intended for public galleries and covers after processing.
- Upload
Keep the page open while original files are transferring. ISO100 shows byte progress during transfer and updates thumbnails as processing completes.
Move an existing portfolio
When your photographs already live in another portfolio service, use Import portfolio instead of rebuilding every gallery by hand. An empty Photos library shows the importer directly; otherwise open More and choose Import portfolio.
Choose the platform and upload its export ZIP or an organized folder. ISO100 previews the proposed draft galleries, selected photographs, storage use, and unsupported files before adding anything to the normal upload review.
Review suggested alt text and categories
ISO100 can suggest alt text and broad categories while you review an upload. Check them against the photograph, then edit or clear anything that does not fit.
If you have not touched the empty Alt text or Categories fields, a completed suggestion can fill them for review. A sparkle icon marks suggested alt text.
- Edit or clear suggested alt text before uploading when it does not describe the meaningful visible content accurately.
- Add or remove categories so they match the photograph. Categories are grouped by subject, genre or context, and technique or environment.
- Typing in Alt text, clearing it, or changing Categories makes your choice authoritative. A later result does not replace it.
- Suggestions do not block upload. Continue without them when unavailable, then edit the photo later.
What ISO100 does with the file
ISO100 stores the accepted original privately, validates the image, prepares responsive display images, strips private GPS, serial-number, and hidden metadata from public output, and checks the upload against the content policy.
Public portfolio pages use processed display variants. ISO100 does not expose the private original or add a public download button by default.
Understand upload status
| Status or metric | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Upload queued or uploading | The original has not finished transferring. Keep Studio open and the device connected. |
| Processing | The original arrived and ISO100 is validating it and creating display images. It cannot be published yet. |
| Ready | Display images are available. A Public photo can now be used by a published gallery or cover. |
| Rejected | The file failed validation, processing, or moderation. Open the photo to read the reason shown in Studio; rejected photos cannot be made public. |
If processing seems stuck
- Wait for normal processing
Large HEIC or TIFF files can take longer than web-ready JPEGs. Give the job a moment before retrying.
- Refresh the status
Open the photo and select Refresh status. Reloading Photos can also fetch the latest server state.
- Check the file
If it is rejected, confirm that the extension matches the real image format, the file opens correctly in an image editor, and it is within your plan's upload limit: 25 MB on Free or 100 MB on Plus.
- Export a fresh JPEG
For a corrupt, unusual, or repeatedly failing file, export a new sRGB JPEG from the source editor. Open the existing photo and use Replace file… under Source file to upload it.
Storage and quota
The Dashboard shows Photos, Galleries, and Storage usage. Storage includes private originals and the optimized copies ISO100 creates.
Making a photo Draft does not reduce library or storage usage. Deleting removes it from active usage and keeps it in Recently deleted for 30 days. Restoring it uses your available photo and storage allowance again.
Open Studio to make the change.
Still need help? Contact support and tell us what you expected and what happened.