First three submissions were rejected, including this cormorant and newly-hatched chicks. Please help me learn why.

Forum|Forum|12 hours ago
August 6, 2026
9 replies
49 views

Is it the shadows at the bottom of the frame?

Correct answer Nancy OShea

Try using a wider picture format. Customers don’t want clipped images.

They prefer images with ample white space for adding text & other elements after purchase.

Also consider the rule-of-thirds for greater visual interest in compositions.

https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/photography/technique/rule-of-thirds.html

Hope that helps.

ZALEZPHOTO

Legend

Nice shot! The wider shot is definitely better for stock. Are you using Photoshop? The newer AI features can easily help you add space around the image, for this particular shot given the simplicity of the edges is perfect using the selection tool brush. Youtube is full of how to do that, what I did literally took less than 15 seconds.

I just don’t know what it does for the shot’s approval, perhaps the Experts can advice better on that.

Personally I have used it for shots that have been accepted here, but it’s a smaller percentage than your image and only on one side.

Best of luck to you!

Francisco

ZALEZPHOTO