FAQs

What does “NA3T” stand for?
NA3T originally stood for the National Archive of Transport Travel & Trade but since this did not exactly roll off the tongue we now use just NA3T as a recursive acronym.

If I buy your photos will they have “© NA3T” in the middle?
No. The “© NA3T” watermark appears only to prevent unauthorised copying. Our photos do carry a discrete copyright text along the bottom edge but this is very small.

Can I donate my collection to your archive?
Yes indeed. Provided your negative or slide collection falls within our collection policy we would be pleased to add it to the NA3T archive.

All donated negatives and slides remain in the archive. We do not break up collections or dispose of donated items but we will return anything that is outside our collection policy.

All items in the archive are credited to the photographer or, if from an organisation or collection, the donor.

Who owns the copyright on your photos?
We own the original negatives or slides and the intellectual property rights (copyright etc.) for almost everything that is listed on this website. The few exceptions are those shown as “© Joe Bloggs/NA3T”.

If an image has not been scanned, how can I tell if it is colour or black and white?
Our catalogue number can be broken down into two or three parts, the letters at the front (The group), the numbers in the middle (The number) and in some cases a hyphen (”-”) followed by a suffix.

If the last letter of the group is a “C”, “c” or “K” then in most cases the image is colour. The exceptions will be found in the Arthur Hustwitt (Memorial) Collection where the photographer’s original numbering system has been retained, thus HuC and HuK are black and white photos.

Why is there a 20p “Processing charge”?
Our archive is run on a not-for-profit basis, which means we do not have a surplus of funds. The “Processing Charge” covers the basic charge made by PayPal on each transaction. In addition, PayPal also charge a percentage of the total. Since a large proportion of the requests we receive are for one-off scan previews at 25p each, PayPal’s charge would not leave very much for us to pay our ISP!

Why, when I go through the PayPal checkout, is there a “Postage” charge when I am buying a digital download?
This is actually the “Processing Charge” in the previous question but PayPal displays it as “Postage”.

Can I use NA3T photos on my own web site or blog?
Yes. You may use the large image with the “© NA3T” watermark free of charged but only on non-commercial web sites (e.g. sites that do not carry paid advertising) unless otherwise agreed in advance. Usage is subject to the following conditions:

1) The image remains unaltered and has a link to the page from which it was copied.

2) The user ensures that images are not used in a derogatory or malicious context or in a manner likely to cause offense to anybody having a direct connection with the subject matter.

3) By using an NA3T image the user accepts all liability, both direct and consequential, for its use.

For more information please contact us

Can I use NA3T photos on my commercial web site, article or product?
In some instances we will allow free use of our images but you will need to obtain a licence from us first. Unless you already have an agreement in place with us our rates will depend on the image size on the page, the size of the print run (in all languages), the target territory and the “value” of the image you wish to use. For more information see our Commercial Licence Rates or contact us with details of your proposed use.

You need to be aware that commercial use without obtaining the necessary licence may render the publisher/user liable for twice the full NA3T rates plus recovery costs and any third party damages. IF IN DOUBTASK!
We strongly recommend publishers take whatever steps they consider appropriate to ensure that valid licenses exist for all images they intend to use.

If I request a scan, how long will I have to wait?
If your request is received whilst we are on-line Mondays to Fridays, we would hope to have it completed within 24 working hours but this does depend on the number of scan requests in the queue as well as other tasks in the office. Scan requests received outside working hours will be processed as soon as possible.

What do the “Quality” stars indicate?
Five stars is the best quality both technically and aesthetically and will be capable of enlargement to our largest bespoke size (about 6 feet wide)and will look good.
Four starts will probably go to 6 feet wide and will certainly produce a good 10” × 6½” print.
Three stars will be OK at 7“x5” and might produce a good 10” × 6½”.
Two stars should be OK at 5½” × 3½”
One star is probably not great if larger than 475 × 317 pixels.
No stars – only if you are desperate for something to complete your collection.

If I get my black & white digital photos printed at a high street shop they have a brown or green tint. Why is this?
Many, but not all, high street shops have their machines set up to print colour images. They are quite good at this but black & white images do seem to cause some shops problems. We suggest that you shop around for the best quality or alternatively buy our ready printed photos where the quality is guaranteed.