Adobe Just Told Me Nature Has Quality Issues

Just a hunch, but I bet the "natural sandstone" image is very similar to ones from the slot canyon tours in which the owners aggressively pursue people who post images from their tours...whether you shot this on the tour, or found your own on public lands.

I just got a batch of 11 photos rejected for quality issues from the same camera as before. So, I am wondering if they are hitting the reject button a lot quicker.

Hello,

Doing a general search of Yosemite Park using it for commercial purposes, I got this:

For Adobe Stock, images are, of course, used commercially!

So, it depends on how the image will be used and what you are taking. So, Adobe are probably erring on the side of caution.

Hi @jia1674 ,

The first image seem to be highly compressed. The quality of what you post here is extremely poor when zoomed.

I am assuming the second photo is an image of "The Wave in northern Arizona". If I am correct, the following is my IP findings: 

Visitors with a recreation permit can take photographs of The Wave for commercial purposes, including licensing them on stock photo sites, without an additional permit, provided they meet specific criteria. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) oversees the Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness, where The Wave is located, and differentiates between recreational and commercial photography. 

Key regulations for commercial photography

• "De minimis" activity does not require a separate permit. A 2025 law, the EXPLORE Act, significantly changed the rules for photography on federal lands, including those managed by the BLM. A separate permit is not required if the activity meets all of the following conditions:
  • Involves eight or fewer people.
  • Uses only handheld equipment.
  • Takes place in an area open to the public.
  • Does not require exclusive use of a site.
  • Does not adversely affect resources, values, or other visitors.
  • Does not result in additional administrative costs for the BLM.
• Making money does not automatically trigger permit requirements. The law specifies that receiving monetary compensation does not, in itself, affect the permissibility of filming or still photography.
• Permits are required for larger-scale commercial productions. A separate, more detailed permit is needed if the photography activity exceeds the "de minimis" criteria. This includes using models, sets, or props, or requiring a large crew or specialized equipment. 

Implications for licensing photos of The Wave

For a visitor who secured a standard recreational permit to visit The Wave, licensing their photos on a stock photo site like Adobe Stock or Shutterstock is typically acceptable, as long as the photography itself remained within the "de minimis" activity guidelines. 

However, anyone intending a larger-scale commercial shoot (e.g., with a group of people acting as models or using significant equipment) must contact the local BLM field office to apply for a separate commercial use permit. 

Disclaimer: These regulations can be complex and may be subject to interpretation. Any commercial photographer should confirm the latest rules and their specific situation by contacting the BLM's Paria River District Office.

I'ts a beautiful file, and I'm sorry to know that Adobe give you an IP refusal for that image.

Best wishes

Jacquelin

Is this the same size image as the one you submitted?
If you don't post the same one in the thread, we won't be able to find out the real reason for the rejection.

The first image is rather noisy. No idea why the second one was rejected. The Moderators sometimes seem to be poking random rejection buttons...