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/ask about quality of my picture and how to check my work before upload (the best way)

Forum|Forum|1 month ago
March 3, 2026
8 replies
125 views

I'd like to learn more about the system for checking photos before they're uploaded to the website. Most photos that are canceled are reportedly having the same technical issues. I don't know if it's really a problem with the photos, the camera, the cropping, the ISO settings, the shutter speed, or the focus. Or maybe it's the quality of the lenses I'm using? I'm using a Fujifilm XT-50.

https://as2.ftcdn.net/jpg/19/30/85/63/220_F_1930856339_p6yNpQAfw7seJNERa9rKPujB7w900l9H.jpg

Correct answer Jill_C

Though the 2 images are too small to completely evaluate, I can see that they’re unedited snapshots with underexposed areas, overexposed sky and chromatic aberration. Virtually all images require editing before submission. Few images are going to be satisfactory straight out of the camera.

O

Oh.N8

Regarding the 1st image on the left:
There is no focal point… just underbrush and such.

Consider your audience:
What are they going to use the image for?
Who would need the image you are about to upload? People like a finished clean product.
Where would this image be use? A well manicured park… people would like to see. Leave space for copy or other assets to be placed.

Cheers

Nate

Nancy OShea

Community Expert

Does your camera have a built-in light meter? If not, you might want to consider getting a hand-held one. Or download an app for your smartphone.

Proper light exposure should be fairly evenly distributed. If there’s not enough environmental light, consider using external light sources.

https://photographylife.com/understanding-histograms-in-photography

Nancy O'Shea— Product User & Community Expert

daniellei4510

Community Expert

This starts to be OK compositionally speaking, but there is no real central subject. That aside, there are technical issues.

Adobe Community Expert | If you can't fix it, hide it; if you can't hide it, delete it.

Nancy OShea

Community Expert

All of these have some exposure problems.

A well lit photo has ample shadows, midtones and highlights. Too much or too little light leads to imbalance. Check your luminosity levels using the Histogram panel in Photoshop or Lightroom.

As you can see from my screenshot, this image has no midtones (grays) and is weighted too heavily with blacks & shadows.

Stock rarely accepts B&W photos. Most customers want full color images. If desired, they can convert it to grayscale after purchase. Read links below for more details.

https://helpx.adobe.com//stock/contributor/help/editing-dos-and-dont.html

https://helpx.adobe.com/stock/contributor/help/quality-and-technical-issues.html

Before submitting, compare your best work with similar Stock inventory.

Is yours better than what Stock is selling?
As a customer, would you buy it?
What would you use it for commercially?

Hope that helps.

Nancy O'Shea— Product User & Community Expert

Shan junaid

Participating Frequently

It is tough to get accepted on platforms like Adobe Stock because the market is very crowded. Before you head out for a shoot you should search the database for your topic first. If there are already thousands of similar images you will struggle to get traction.

Try to find a unique angle or a different perspective that is currently missing. Focus on technical quality above all else. If your images have noise or lack sharpness they will likely be rejected. It is usually better to spend your time creating one high quality image than ten mediocre ones. If you do not focus on quality it will just be a waste of your time.

Ricky336

Community Expert

Hello,

Before you upload to Adobe Stock, you should think about the subject matter.

What commercial use do they have? You have to think about composition and exposure among a few things.

Exposure
Composition

I can see a few issues regarding composition and exposure.

Jill_C

Correct answer

Community Expert

Though the 2 images are too small to completely evaluate, I can see that they’re unedited snapshots with underexposed areas, overexposed sky and chromatic aberration. Virtually all images require editing before submission. Few images are going to be satisfactory straight out of the camera.

Jill C., Forum Volunteer

daniellei4510

Community Expert

The image is too small to critique. Upload a couple of full-sized images here as they were originally submitted. The file size limit on the forum is 5MB, so it’s possible you may have to reduce the image somewhat, but keep it as large as possible within the 5MB limit. What I can say about the small version you linked to is that I see so central subject of note and the shadows appear underexposed.

Adobe Community Expert | If you can't fix it, hide it; if you can't hide it, delete it.

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