diff --git a/docs/api-colour.md b/docs/api-colour.md
index 92664423..7a814117 100644
--- a/docs/api-colour.md
+++ b/docs/api-colour.md
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ An alpha channel may be present, and will be unchanged by the operation.
 
 **Parameters**
 
--   `greyscale` **[Boolean](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Boolean)?**  (optional, default `true`)
+-   `greyscale` **[Boolean](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Boolean)**  (optional, default `true`)
 
 Returns **Sharp** 
 
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ Alternative spelling of `greyscale`.
 
 **Parameters**
 
--   `grayscale` **[Boolean](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Boolean)?**  (optional, default `true`)
+-   `grayscale` **[Boolean](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Boolean)**  (optional, default `true`)
 
 Returns **Sharp** 
 
diff --git a/docs/api-composite.md b/docs/api-composite.md
index a4c84619..284441c8 100644
--- a/docs/api-composite.md
+++ b/docs/api-composite.md
@@ -17,12 +17,12 @@ If the overlay image contains an alpha channel then composition with premultipli
 
 -   `overlay` **([Buffer](https://nodejs.org/api/buffer.html) \| [String](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/String))** Buffer containing image data or String containing the path to an image file.
 -   `options` **[Object](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Object)?** 
-    -   `options.gravity` **[String](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/String)?** gravity at which to place the overlay. (optional, default `'centre'`)
+    -   `options.gravity` **[String](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/String)** gravity at which to place the overlay. (optional, default `'centre'`)
     -   `options.top` **[Number](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Number)?** the pixel offset from the top edge.
     -   `options.left` **[Number](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Number)?** the pixel offset from the left edge.
-    -   `options.tile` **[Boolean](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Boolean)?** set to true to repeat the overlay image across the entire image with the given `gravity`. (optional, default `false`)
-    -   `options.cutout` **[Boolean](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Boolean)?** set to true to apply only the alpha channel of the overlay image to the input image, giving the appearance of one image being cut out of another. (optional, default `false`)
-    -   `options.density` **[Number](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Number)?** integral number representing the DPI for vector overlay image. (optional, default `72`)
+    -   `options.tile` **[Boolean](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Boolean)** set to true to repeat the overlay image across the entire image with the given `gravity`. (optional, default `false`)
+    -   `options.cutout` **[Boolean](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Boolean)** set to true to apply only the alpha channel of the overlay image to the input image, giving the appearance of one image being cut out of another. (optional, default `false`)
+    -   `options.density` **[Number](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Number)** integral number representing the DPI for vector overlay image. (optional, default `72`)
     -   `options.raw` **[Object](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Object)?** describes overlay when using raw pixel data.
         -   `options.raw.width` **[Number](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Number)?** 
         -   `options.raw.height` **[Number](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Number)?** 
diff --git a/docs/api-constructor.md b/docs/api-constructor.md
index b8b4bdfc..b5b48b2b 100644
--- a/docs/api-constructor.md
+++ b/docs/api-constructor.md
@@ -14,9 +14,9 @@
 -   `input` **([Buffer](https://nodejs.org/api/buffer.html) \| [String](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/String))?** if present, can be
      a Buffer containing JPEG, PNG, WebP, GIF, SVG, TIFF or raw pixel image data, or
      a String containing the path to an JPEG, PNG, WebP, GIF, SVG or TIFF image file.
-     JPEG, PNG, WebP, GIF, SVG, TIFF or raw pixel image data can be streamed into the object when null or undefined.
+     JPEG, PNG, WebP, GIF, SVG, TIFF or raw pixel image data can be streamed into the object when not present.
 -   `options` **[Object](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Object)?** if present, is an Object with optional attributes.
-    -   `options.density` **[Number](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Number)?** integral number representing the DPI for vector images. (optional, default `72`)
+    -   `options.density` **[Number](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Number)** integral number representing the DPI for vector images. (optional, default `72`)
     -   `options.raw` **[Object](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Object)?** describes raw pixel input image data. See `raw()` for pixel ordering.
         -   `options.raw.width` **[Number](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Number)?** 
         -   `options.raw.height` **[Number](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Number)?** 
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ readableStream.pipe(transformer).pipe(writableStream);
 
 ```javascript
 // Create a blank 300x200 PNG image of semi-transluent red pixels
-sharp(null, {
+sharp({
   create: {
     width: 300,
     height: 200,
diff --git a/docs/api-input.md b/docs/api-input.md
index 9b78b45e..c42ee78e 100644
--- a/docs/api-input.md
+++ b/docs/api-input.md
@@ -88,6 +88,6 @@ This will reduce memory usage and can improve performance on some systems.
 
 **Parameters**
 
--   `sequentialRead` **[Boolean](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Boolean)?**  (optional, default `true`)
+-   `sequentialRead` **[Boolean](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Boolean)**  (optional, default `true`)
 
 Returns **Sharp** 
diff --git a/docs/api-operation.md b/docs/api-operation.md
index 0bbf01dd..d1c9dd04 100644
--- a/docs/api-operation.md
+++ b/docs/api-operation.md
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ for example `rotate(x).extract(y)` will produce a different result to `extract(y
 
 **Parameters**
 
--   `angle` **[Number](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Number)?** 0, 90, 180 or 270. (optional, default `auto`)
+-   `angle` **[Number](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Number)** 0, 90, 180 or 270. (optional, default `auto`)
 
 **Examples**
 
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ The use of `flip` implies the removal of the EXIF `Orientation` tag, if any.
 
 **Parameters**
 
--   `flip` **[Boolean](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Boolean)?**  (optional, default `true`)
+-   `flip` **[Boolean](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Boolean)**  (optional, default `true`)
 
 Returns **Sharp** 
 
@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ The use of `flop` implies the removal of the EXIF `Orientation` tag, if any.
 
 **Parameters**
 
--   `flop` **[Boolean](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Boolean)?**  (optional, default `true`)
+-   `flop` **[Boolean](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Boolean)**  (optional, default `true`)
 
 Returns **Sharp** 
 
@@ -126,8 +126,8 @@ Separate control over the level of sharpening in "flat" and "jagged" areas is av
 **Parameters**
 
 -   `sigma` **[Number](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Number)?** the sigma of the Gaussian mask, where `sigma = 1 + radius / 2`.
--   `flat` **[Number](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Number)?** the level of sharpening to apply to "flat" areas. (optional, default `1.0`)
--   `jagged` **[Number](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Number)?** the level of sharpening to apply to "jagged" areas. (optional, default `2.0`)
+-   `flat` **[Number](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Number)** the level of sharpening to apply to "flat" areas. (optional, default `1.0`)
+-   `jagged` **[Number](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Number)** the level of sharpening to apply to "jagged" areas. (optional, default `2.0`)
 
 
 -   Throws **[Error](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Error)** Invalid parameters
@@ -184,7 +184,7 @@ Merge alpha transparency channel, if any, with `background`.
 
 **Parameters**
 
--   `flatten` **[Boolean](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Boolean)?**  (optional, default `true`)
+-   `flatten` **[Boolean](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Boolean)**  (optional, default `true`)
 
 Returns **Sharp** 
 
@@ -194,7 +194,7 @@ Trim "boring" pixels from all edges that contain values within a percentage simi
 
 **Parameters**
 
--   `tolerance` **[Number](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Number)?** value between 1 and 99 representing the percentage similarity. (optional, default `10`)
+-   `tolerance` **[Number](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Number)** value between 1 and 99 representing the percentage similarity. (optional, default `10`)
 
 
 -   Throws **[Error](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Error)** Invalid parameters
@@ -211,7 +211,7 @@ when applying a gamma correction.
 
 **Parameters**
 
--   `gamma` **[Number](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Number)?** value between 1.0 and 3.0. (optional, default `2.2`)
+-   `gamma` **[Number](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Number)** value between 1.0 and 3.0. (optional, default `2.2`)
 
 
 -   Throws **[Error](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Error)** Invalid parameters
@@ -224,7 +224,7 @@ Produce the "negative" of the image.
 
 **Parameters**
 
--   `negate` **[Boolean](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Boolean)?**  (optional, default `true`)
+-   `negate` **[Boolean](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Boolean)**  (optional, default `true`)
 
 Returns **Sharp** 
 
@@ -234,7 +234,7 @@ Enhance output image contrast by stretching its luminance to cover the full dyna
 
 **Parameters**
 
--   `normalise` **[Boolean](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Boolean)?**  (optional, default `true`)
+-   `normalise` **[Boolean](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Boolean)**  (optional, default `true`)
 
 Returns **Sharp** 
 
@@ -244,7 +244,7 @@ Alternative spelling of normalise.
 
 **Parameters**
 
--   `normalize` **[Boolean](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Boolean)?**  (optional, default `true`)
+-   `normalize` **[Boolean](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Boolean)**  (optional, default `true`)
 
 Returns **Sharp** 
 
@@ -258,8 +258,8 @@ Convolve the image with the specified kernel.
     -   `kernel.width` **[Number](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Number)** width of the kernel in pixels.
     -   `kernel.height` **[Number](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Number)** width of the kernel in pixels.
     -   `kernel.kernel` **[Array](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Array)<[Number](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Number)>** Array of length `width*height` containing the kernel values.
-    -   `kernel.scale` **[Number](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Number)?** the scale of the kernel in pixels. (optional, default `sum`)
-    -   `kernel.offset` **[Number](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Number)?** the offset of the kernel in pixels. (optional, default `0`)
+    -   `kernel.scale` **[Number](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Number)** the scale of the kernel in pixels. (optional, default `sum`)
+    -   `kernel.offset` **[Number](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Number)** the offset of the kernel in pixels. (optional, default `0`)
 
 **Examples**
 
@@ -287,10 +287,10 @@ Any pixel value greather than or equal to the threshold value will be set to 255
 
 **Parameters**
 
--   `threshold` **[Number](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Number)?** a value in the range 0-255 representing the level at which the threshold will be applied. (optional, default `128`)
+-   `threshold` **[Number](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Number)** a value in the range 0-255 representing the level at which the threshold will be applied. (optional, default `128`)
 -   `options` **[Object](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Object)?** 
-    -   `options.greyscale` **[Boolean](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Boolean)?** convert to single channel greyscale. (optional, default `true`)
-    -   `options.grayscale` **[Boolean](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Boolean)?** alternative spelling for greyscale. (optional, default `true`)
+    -   `options.greyscale` **[Boolean](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Boolean)** convert to single channel greyscale. (optional, default `true`)
+    -   `options.grayscale` **[Boolean](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Boolean)** alternative spelling for greyscale. (optional, default `true`)
 
 
 -   Throws **[Error](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Error)** Invalid parameters
diff --git a/docs/api-output.md b/docs/api-output.md
index 8f41c9f3..595035e3 100644
--- a/docs/api-output.md
+++ b/docs/api-output.md
@@ -80,14 +80,14 @@ Use these JPEG options for output image.
 **Parameters**
 
 -   `options` **[Object](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Object)?** output options
-    -   `options.quality` **[Number](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Number)?** quality, integer 1-100 (optional, default `80`)
-    -   `options.progressive` **[Boolean](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Boolean)?** use progressive (interlace) scan (optional, default `false`)
-    -   `options.chromaSubsampling` **[String](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/String)?** set to '4:4:4' to prevent chroma subsampling when quality <= 90 (optional, default `'4:2:0'`)
-    -   `options.trellisQuantisation` **[Boolean](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Boolean)?** apply trellis quantisation, requires mozjpeg (optional, default `false`)
-    -   `options.overshootDeringing` **[Boolean](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Boolean)?** apply overshoot deringing, requires mozjpeg (optional, default `false`)
-    -   `options.optimiseScans` **[Boolean](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Boolean)?** optimise progressive scans, forces progressive, requires mozjpeg (optional, default `false`)
-    -   `options.optimizeScans` **[Boolean](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Boolean)?** alternative spelling of optimiseScans (optional, default `false`)
-    -   `options.force` **[Boolean](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Boolean)?** force JPEG output, otherwise attempt to use input format (optional, default `true`)
+    -   `options.quality` **[Number](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Number)** quality, integer 1-100 (optional, default `80`)
+    -   `options.progressive` **[Boolean](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Boolean)** use progressive (interlace) scan (optional, default `false`)
+    -   `options.chromaSubsampling` **[String](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/String)** set to '4:4:4' to prevent chroma subsampling when quality <= 90 (optional, default `'4:2:0'`)
+    -   `options.trellisQuantisation` **[Boolean](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Boolean)** apply trellis quantisation, requires mozjpeg (optional, default `false`)
+    -   `options.overshootDeringing` **[Boolean](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Boolean)** apply overshoot deringing, requires mozjpeg (optional, default `false`)
+    -   `options.optimiseScans` **[Boolean](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Boolean)** optimise progressive scans, forces progressive, requires mozjpeg (optional, default `false`)
+    -   `options.optimizeScans` **[Boolean](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Boolean)** alternative spelling of optimiseScans (optional, default `false`)
+    -   `options.force` **[Boolean](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Boolean)** force JPEG output, otherwise attempt to use input format (optional, default `true`)
 
 
 -   Throws **[Error](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Error)** Invalid options
@@ -101,10 +101,10 @@ Use these PNG options for output image.
 **Parameters**
 
 -   `options` **[Object](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Object)?** 
-    -   `options.progressive` **[Boolean](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Boolean)?** use progressive (interlace) scan (optional, default `false`)
-    -   `options.compressionLevel` **[Number](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Number)?** zlib compression level (optional, default `6`)
-    -   `options.adaptiveFiltering` **[Boolean](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Boolean)?** use adaptive row filtering (optional, default `true`)
-    -   `options.force` **[Boolean](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Boolean)?** force PNG output, otherwise attempt to use input format (optional, default `true`)
+    -   `options.progressive` **[Boolean](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Boolean)** use progressive (interlace) scan (optional, default `false`)
+    -   `options.compressionLevel` **[Number](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Number)** zlib compression level (optional, default `6`)
+    -   `options.adaptiveFiltering` **[Boolean](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Boolean)** use adaptive row filtering (optional, default `true`)
+    -   `options.force` **[Boolean](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Boolean)** force PNG output, otherwise attempt to use input format (optional, default `true`)
 
 
 -   Throws **[Error](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Error)** Invalid options
@@ -118,11 +118,11 @@ Use these WebP options for output image.
 **Parameters**
 
 -   `options` **[Object](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Object)?** output options
-    -   `options.quality` **[Number](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Number)?** quality, integer 1-100 (optional, default `80`)
-    -   `options.alphaQuality` **[Number](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Number)?** quality of alpha layer, integer 0-100 (optional, default `100`)
-    -   `options.lossless` **[Boolean](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Boolean)?** use lossless compression mode (optional, default `false`)
-    -   `options.nearLossless` **[Boolean](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Boolean)?** use near_lossless compression mode (optional, default `false`)
-    -   `options.force` **[Boolean](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Boolean)?** force WebP output, otherwise attempt to use input format (optional, default `true`)
+    -   `options.quality` **[Number](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Number)** quality, integer 1-100 (optional, default `80`)
+    -   `options.alphaQuality` **[Number](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Number)** quality of alpha layer, integer 0-100 (optional, default `100`)
+    -   `options.lossless` **[Boolean](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Boolean)** use lossless compression mode (optional, default `false`)
+    -   `options.nearLossless` **[Boolean](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Boolean)** use near_lossless compression mode (optional, default `false`)
+    -   `options.force` **[Boolean](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Boolean)** force WebP output, otherwise attempt to use input format (optional, default `true`)
 
 
 -   Throws **[Error](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Error)** Invalid options
@@ -136,11 +136,11 @@ Use these TIFF options for output image.
 **Parameters**
 
 -   `options` **[Object](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Object)?** output options
-    -   `options.quality` **[Number](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Number)?** quality, integer 1-100 (optional, default `80`)
-    -   `options.force` **[Boolean](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Boolean)?** force TIFF output, otherwise attempt to use input format (optional, default `true`)
-    -   `options.compression` **[Boolean](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Boolean)?** compression options: lzw, deflate, jpeg (optional, default `'jpeg'`)
-    -   `options.predictor` **[Boolean](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Boolean)?** compression predictor options: none, horizontal, float (optional, default `'none'`)
-    -   `options.squash` **[Boolean](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Boolean)?** squash 8-bit images down to 1 bit (optional, default `false`)
+    -   `options.quality` **[Number](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Number)** quality, integer 1-100 (optional, default `80`)
+    -   `options.force` **[Boolean](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Boolean)** force TIFF output, otherwise attempt to use input format (optional, default `true`)
+    -   `options.compression` **[Boolean](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Boolean)** compression options: lzw, deflate, jpeg (optional, default `'jpeg'`)
+    -   `options.predictor` **[Boolean](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Boolean)** compression predictor options: none, horizontal, float (optional, default `'none'`)
+    -   `options.squash` **[Boolean](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Boolean)** squash 8-bit images down to 1 bit (optional, default `false`)
 
 
 -   Throws **[Error](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Error)** Invalid options
@@ -176,10 +176,10 @@ Use a `.zip` or `.szi` file extension with `toFile` to write to a compressed arc
 **Parameters**
 
 -   `tile` **[Object](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Object)?** 
-    -   `tile.size` **[Number](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Number)?** tile size in pixels, a value between 1 and 8192. (optional, default `256`)
-    -   `tile.overlap` **[Number](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Number)?** tile overlap in pixels, a value between 0 and 8192. (optional, default `0`)
-    -   `tile.container` **[String](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/String)?** tile container, with value `fs` (filesystem) or `zip` (compressed file). (optional, default `'fs'`)
-    -   `tile.layout` **[String](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/String)?** filesystem layout, possible values are `dz`, `zoomify` or `google`. (optional, default `'dz'`)
+    -   `tile.size` **[Number](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Number)** tile size in pixels, a value between 1 and 8192. (optional, default `256`)
+    -   `tile.overlap` **[Number](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Number)** tile overlap in pixels, a value between 0 and 8192. (optional, default `0`)
+    -   `tile.container` **[String](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/String)** tile container, with value `fs` (filesystem) or `zip` (compressed file). (optional, default `'fs'`)
+    -   `tile.layout` **[String](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/String)** filesystem layout, possible values are `dz`, `zoomify` or `google`. (optional, default `'dz'`)
 
 **Examples**
 
diff --git a/docs/api-resize.md b/docs/api-resize.md
index e3237bf5..af1fdb5f 100644
--- a/docs/api-resize.md
+++ b/docs/api-resize.md
@@ -36,10 +36,10 @@ Possible enlargement interpolators are:
 -   `width` **[Number](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Number)?** pixels wide the resultant image should be. Use `null` or `undefined` to auto-scale the width to match the height.
 -   `height` **[Number](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Number)?** pixels high the resultant image should be. Use `null` or `undefined` to auto-scale the height to match the width.
 -   `options` **[Object](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Object)?** 
-    -   `options.kernel` **[String](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/String)?** the kernel to use for image reduction. (optional, default `'lanczos3'`)
-    -   `options.interpolator` **[String](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/String)?** the interpolator to use for image enlargement. (optional, default `'bicubic'`)
-    -   `options.centreSampling` **[Boolean](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Boolean)?** use \*magick centre sampling convention instead of corner sampling. (optional, default `false`)
-    -   `options.centerSampling` **[Boolean](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Boolean)?** alternative spelling of centreSampling. (optional, default `false`)
+    -   `options.kernel` **[String](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/String)** the kernel to use for image reduction. (optional, default `'lanczos3'`)
+    -   `options.interpolator` **[String](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/String)** the interpolator to use for image enlargement. (optional, default `'bicubic'`)
+    -   `options.centreSampling` **[Boolean](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Boolean)** use \*magick centre sampling convention instead of corner sampling. (optional, default `false`)
+    -   `options.centerSampling` **[Boolean](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Boolean)** alternative spelling of centreSampling. (optional, default `false`)
 
 **Examples**
 
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ then repeatedly ranks edge regions, discarding the edge with the lowest score ba
 
 **Parameters**
 
--   `crop` **[String](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/String)?** A member of `sharp.gravity` to crop to an edge/corner or `sharp.strategy` to crop dynamically. (optional, default `'centre'`)
+-   `crop` **[String](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/String)** A member of `sharp.gravity` to crop to an edge/corner or `sharp.strategy` to crop dynamically. (optional, default `'centre'`)
 
 **Examples**
 
@@ -172,6 +172,6 @@ This is equivalent to GraphicsMagick's `>` geometry option:
 
 **Parameters**
 
--   `withoutEnlargement` **[Boolean](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Boolean)?**  (optional, default `true`)
+-   `withoutEnlargement` **[Boolean](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Boolean)**  (optional, default `true`)
 
 Returns **Sharp** 
diff --git a/docs/api-utility.md b/docs/api-utility.md
index 3b914a54..7a07760d 100644
--- a/docs/api-utility.md
+++ b/docs/api-utility.md
@@ -17,9 +17,9 @@ useful for determining how much working memory is required for a particular task
 **Parameters**
 
 -   `options` **([Object](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Object) \| [Boolean](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Boolean))** Object with the following attributes, or Boolean where true uses default cache settings and false removes all caching.
-    -   `options.memory` **[Number](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Number)?** is the maximum memory in MB to use for this cache (optional, default `50`)
-    -   `options.files` **[Number](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Number)?** is the maximum number of files to hold open (optional, default `20`)
-    -   `options.items` **[Number](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Number)?** is the maximum number of operations to cache (optional, default `100`)
+    -   `options.memory` **[Number](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Number)** is the maximum memory in MB to use for this cache (optional, default `50`)
+    -   `options.files` **[Number](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Number)** is the maximum number of files to hold open (optional, default `20`)
+    -   `options.items` **[Number](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Number)** is the maximum number of operations to cache (optional, default `100`)
 
 **Examples**
 
@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@ Versions of liborc prior to 0.4.25 are known to segfault under heavy load.
 
 **Parameters**
 
--   `simd` **[Boolean](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Boolean)?**  (optional, default `false`)
+-   `simd` **[Boolean](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Boolean)**  (optional, default `false`)
 
 **Examples**
 
diff --git a/docs/changelog.md b/docs/changelog.md
index 7644b1a9..5bba943c 100644
--- a/docs/changelog.md
+++ b/docs/changelog.md
@@ -29,6 +29,10 @@ Requires libvips v8.5.2.
   [#752](https://github.com/lovell/sharp/issues/752)
   [@MrIbby](https://github.com/MrIbby)
 
+* Constructor single argument API: allow plain object, reject null/undefined.
+  [#768](https://github.com/lovell/sharp/issues/768)
+  [@kub1x](https://github.com/kub1x)
+
 * Ensure ARM64 pre-built binaries use correct C++11 ABI version.
   [#772](https://github.com/lovell/sharp/issues/772)
   [@ajiratech2](https://github.com/ajiratech2)
diff --git a/lib/constructor.js b/lib/constructor.js
index ca28d0f4..76ea64ea 100644
--- a/lib/constructor.js
+++ b/lib/constructor.js
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ const util = require('util');
 const stream = require('stream');
 const events = require('events');
 const semver = require('semver');
+const is = require('./is');
 const sharp = require('../build/Release/sharp.node');
 
 // Versioning
@@ -59,7 +60,7 @@ const debuglog = util.debuglog('sharp');
  *
  * @example
  * // Create a blank 300x200 PNG image of semi-transluent red pixels
- * sharp(null, {
+ * sharp({
  *   create: {
  *     width: 300,
  *     height: 200,
@@ -74,7 +75,7 @@ const debuglog = util.debuglog('sharp');
  * @param {(Buffer|String)} [input] - if present, can be
  *  a Buffer containing JPEG, PNG, WebP, GIF, SVG, TIFF or raw pixel image data, or
  *  a String containing the path to an JPEG, PNG, WebP, GIF, SVG or TIFF image file.
- *  JPEG, PNG, WebP, GIF, SVG, TIFF or raw pixel image data can be streamed into the object when null or undefined.
+ *  JPEG, PNG, WebP, GIF, SVG, TIFF or raw pixel image data can be streamed into the object when not present.
  * @param {Object} [options] - if present, is an Object with optional attributes.
  * @param {Number} [options.density=72] - integral number representing the DPI for vector images.
  * @param {Object} [options.raw] - describes raw pixel input image data. See `raw()` for pixel ordering.
@@ -90,6 +91,9 @@ const debuglog = util.debuglog('sharp');
  * @throws {Error} Invalid parameters
  */
 const Sharp = function (input, options) {
+  if (arguments.length === 1 && !is.defined(input)) {
+    throw new Error('Invalid input');
+  }
   if (!(this instanceof Sharp)) {
     return new Sharp(input, options);
   }
diff --git a/lib/input.js b/lib/input.js
index fd484a10..b8c6ad83 100644
--- a/lib/input.js
+++ b/lib/input.js
@@ -16,6 +16,9 @@ function _createInputDescriptor (input, inputOptions, containerOptions) {
   } else if (is.buffer(input)) {
     // Buffer
     inputDescriptor.buffer = input;
+  } else if (is.plainObject(input) && !is.defined(inputOptions)) {
+    // Plain Object descriptor, e.g. create
+    inputOptions = input;
   } else if (!is.defined(input) && is.object(containerOptions) && containerOptions.allowStream) {
     // Stream
     inputDescriptor.buffer = [];
diff --git a/lib/is.js b/lib/is.js
index d9fb06f7..eaabc7cf 100644
--- a/lib/is.js
+++ b/lib/is.js
@@ -16,6 +16,14 @@ const object = function (val) {
   return typeof val === 'object';
 };
 
+/**
+ * Is this value a plain object?
+ * @private
+ */
+const plainObject = function (val) {
+  return object(val) && Object.prototype.toString.call(val) === '[object Object]';
+};
+
 /**
  * Is this value a function?
  * @private
@@ -98,6 +106,7 @@ const invalidParameterError = function (name, expected, actual) {
 module.exports = {
   defined: defined,
   object: object,
+  plainObject: plainObject,
   fn: fn,
   bool: bool,
   buffer: buffer,
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index 8d69581a..72d8b74d 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@
   "devDependencies": {
     "async": "^2.4.0",
     "cc": "^1.0.0",
-    "documentation": "^4.0.0-rc.0",
+    "documentation": "^4.0.0-rc.1",
     "exif-reader": "^1.0.2",
     "icc": "^1.0.0",
     "mocha": "^3.3.0",
diff --git a/test/unit/io.js b/test/unit/io.js
index 958ba739..316e8b70 100644
--- a/test/unit/io.js
+++ b/test/unit/io.js
@@ -308,6 +308,16 @@ describe('Input/output', function () {
   });
 
   describe('Fail for unsupported input', function () {
+    it('Undefined', function () {
+      assert.throws(function () {
+        sharp(undefined);
+      });
+    });
+    it('Null', function () {
+      assert.throws(function () {
+        sharp(null);
+      });
+    });
     it('Numeric', function () {
       assert.throws(function () {
         sharp(1);
@@ -318,11 +328,6 @@ describe('Input/output', function () {
         sharp(true);
       });
     });
-    it('Empty Object', function () {
-      assert.throws(function () {
-        sharp({});
-      });
-    });
     it('Error Object', function () {
       assert.throws(function () {
         sharp(new Error());
@@ -1257,27 +1262,27 @@ describe('Input/output', function () {
   describe('Raw pixel input', function () {
     it('Missing options', function () {
       assert.throws(function () {
-        sharp(null, { raw: {} });
+        sharp({ raw: {} });
       });
     });
     it('Incomplete options', function () {
       assert.throws(function () {
-        sharp(null, { raw: { width: 1, height: 1 } });
+        sharp({ raw: { width: 1, height: 1 } });
       });
     });
     it('Invalid channels', function () {
       assert.throws(function () {
-        sharp(null, { raw: { width: 1, height: 1, channels: 5 } });
+        sharp({ raw: { width: 1, height: 1, channels: 5 } });
       });
     });
     it('Invalid height', function () {
       assert.throws(function () {
-        sharp(null, { raw: { width: 1, height: 0, channels: 4 } });
+        sharp({ raw: { width: 1, height: 0, channels: 4 } });
       });
     });
     it('Invalid width', function () {
       assert.throws(function () {
-        sharp(null, { raw: { width: 'zoinks', height: 1, channels: 4 } });
+        sharp({ raw: { width: 'zoinks', height: 1, channels: 4 } });
       });
     });
     it('RGB', function (done) {
@@ -1344,7 +1349,7 @@ describe('Input/output', function () {
         channels: 3,
         background: { r: 0, g: 255, b: 0 }
       };
-      sharp(null, { create: create })
+      sharp({ create: create })
         .jpeg()
         .toBuffer(function (err, data, info) {
           if (err) throw err;
@@ -1362,7 +1367,7 @@ describe('Input/output', function () {
         channels: 4,
         background: { r: 255, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 128 }
       };
-      sharp(null, { create: create })
+      sharp({ create: create })
         .png()
         .toBuffer(function (err, data, info) {
           if (err) throw err;
@@ -1381,7 +1386,7 @@ describe('Input/output', function () {
         background: { r: 0, g: 0, b: 0 }
       };
       assert.throws(function () {
-        sharp(null, { create: create });
+        sharp({ create: create });
       });
     });
     it('Missing background', function () {
@@ -1391,7 +1396,7 @@ describe('Input/output', function () {
         channels: 3
       };
       assert.throws(function () {
-        sharp(null, { create: create });
+        sharp({ create: create });
       });
     });
   });