SmartFrame Technologies Limited is revolutionising the world of digital imagery with the launch of its self-service platform, which enables image rights owners—from photographers to small businesses, image libraries and big brands—to securely share their content on their own websites and beyond, track interactions, and generate new enquiries and revenues from images wherever they are displayed on the internet.

SmartFrame’s self-service platform is designed to be intuitive to use and its entry level is provided free of charge with a complimentary 2 GB of storage, equating to one-thousand images to get users started.

Over the last two decades, while other photography and imaging technology has rapidly evolved, image standards have not progressed beyond JPEG, first released in 1992 and not updated since 2012. With little sharing and security protection, image owners are losing control of their content as third parties right click, screenshot and save their pictures, and have no way to track where or how an image is used. A staggering two billion images are shared per day on the internet of which 85% are thought to be infringed, with no known owner or way to find them.

To address these challenges, the SmartFrame platform converts JPEG images to the proprietary encrypted SmartFrame image format. SmartFrame images give control back to image owners through direct rendering onto HTML canvas, which is achieved in the end user internet browser. Images are controlled directly by the server and are served in the most appropriate resolution. SmartFrame establishes a two-way communication channel between the end user and the server, allowing image rights owners to track user behaviour, but also push messages and even make sales directly from third party websites. This allows safe sharing and tracking of images, while also maintaining image quality, inherent artistic value and attribution.

“We are on a mission to redefine the digital image standard and how digital images are used. With so many image copyrights being infringed on a daily basis, image owners deserve to be able to have a say on how their content is used and derive value from it,” said Rob Sewell, CEO, SmartFrame Technologies. “That’s why we launched SmartFrame: why should image owners continue to lose out on the value of their images and assets, when instead they can easily share and control where their content goes? SmartFrame ensures that images are pixel perfect, interactive, shareable, and trackable, and that their owners are able to effectively monetise their use.”

SmartFrame customers include award-winning fine art wildlife photographer David Yarrow, who uses SmartFrame to present his content in the best format possible on his own website.

"The reality is that in our digital society most people will only ever see my images on a screen. Since switching to SmartFrame I have been able to present my work in a way that I feel does the detail of the image justice,” said Yarrow, wildlife photographer. “The deep zoom feature allows the viewer to experience the full tonal range and intricate details that I have tried to capture. SmartFrame’s sharing and tracking protection also means I can be sure where and how my images are being used and are not stolen.”