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Participant
July 24, 2026
Question

I want to know why this photo was rejected.

  • July 24, 2026
  • 9 replies
  • 142 views
I have had a few that has been accepted, all with a similar moody style editing. I was wondwering why these got rejected. They have been accepted to another stock website though.

 

    9 replies

    jodij28273193
    Inspiring
    July 27, 2026

    I have the same rose in my backyard. It really isn't an unusual rose. It's very easy to get the bush on the internet. I would move on from this picture. 

    Ricky336
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    July 27, 2026

    Hello,

    A further point to add, be careful of your composition!

    Have a read from Adobe’s Help guides about composition:

    Composition

    And exposure:

    Exposure

    Nancy OShea
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    July 24, 2026

    These were likely refused for improper focus and uneven lighting. 

     

    Stock contains over 16 million roses. This is what you’re competing with.

    https://stock.adobe.com/search?k=roses

    https://stock.adobe.com/search?k=roses+multicolored

     

    Read the 4-part section on Photo Requirements in your Stock Contributor User Guide below:

    https://helpx.adobe.com/stock/contributor/submit-your-content/submit-photos/photo-submission-overview.html

     

     

    Nancy O'Shea— Product User & Community Expert
    Jill_C
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    July 24, 2026

    DOF is too shallow in several of these, rendering parts of the flower out of focus.

    Jill C., Forum Volunteer
    daniellei4510
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    July 24, 2026

    Acceptance on other stock sites is not a guarantee that assets will be accepted by Adobe. Higher quality standards for one, but a different customer base as well. Best of luck going forward!

    Adobe Community Expert | If you aren't submitting your assets in sRGB, you probably didn't read the rules.
    ZALEZPHOTO
    Legend
    July 24, 2026

    It’s a beautiful and unusual rose Veronica. Im wondering why there’s so much difference with the exposure on the photos, the dark photos are just too dark. Was the rejection for quality issues? Keep in mind Adobe will only take a limit on the same subject.

    Also, I have learned for stock it is best to have more depth of field, and when you’re close like these photos adding 2-3 stops will help in with approvals.

    So if they come from your garden, keep playing with them and enjoy them like Jodi says.

    cheers!

    ZALEZPHOTO
    yamato713108855
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    July 24, 2026
    jodij28273193
    Inspiring
    July 24, 2026

    It is a pretty flower, but you are competing with millions. I don’t think the flower has much stock value, so I would enjoy the flower and not worry about the picture.

    RALPH_L
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    July 24, 2026

    Other stock agencies have their own quality standards and have no relevance here.
    Here are the reasons that I see:
    1. Cropping. Flowers that are not zoomed in should be placed using the Rule of Thirds. Zoomed in images should have equal space on all sides.
    2. Focus. The images need to be sharp and the depth of field should be extended.
    3. Exposure. Th flower is slightly underexposed and the background should either be lighter or dark enough to exclude disturbing shapes. Also, the histogram shows no blacks and no whites.
    Here a corrected example:
     

     

    Participant
    July 24, 2026

    Thank you so much! <3
    I will take more care with the next images I take.
    I am still learning to use the lens, but have to wait for a replacement because it had a scratch. So hopefully it comes before this specific flower dies. lol