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MetteAndersen1
January 14, 2026
Question

Images rejected due to quality problems, but why? - please help

  • January 14, 2026
  • 6 replies
  • 227 views

Hello all

I recently uploaded a batch of pictures, but most of them were rejected due to quality problems, which I have trouble understanding. (The same images have been accepted to other stock sites without any issues.)

 

As an example, can someone help me understand why picture 1 of this wooden deck was accepted but picture 2 was not? 

 

PICTURE 1

PHOTO 1

PICTURE 2

PHOTO 2

And as another example, why the picture of this pine cone was rejected due to quality problems as well?

IMG_2027.jpg

I appreciate any feedback!

6 replies

Jill_C
Community Expert
Community Expert
January 14, 2026

The first 2 images are too similar and are also somewhat underexposed.

Jill C., Forum Volunteer
Ricky336
Community Expert
Community Expert
January 14, 2026

Hello,

You will get varying opinions here. Mine is that I also think the exposure is fine. My observation is your focus. I think you should allow a greater depth of field— more of the subject in focus.  I would say the main rejection reason is the focus.

The pinecone photo—you can also correct the white balance. It is just a bit too yellow.

 

Depth of field:

Understanding shallow depth of field photography | Adobe

MetteAndersen1
January 15, 2026

Thank you! I will try to shoot with a greater depth of field next time:-) 

daniellei4510
Community Expert
Community Expert
January 14, 2026

As already noted, your shadows and highlights require adjustment. But composition is also a quality issue. Placing your subject dead center is often something to be avoided. You might want to read up on some rules of composition going forward.

IMG_2027.jpg

Adobe Community Expert | If you aren't submitting your assets in sRGB, you probably didn't read the rules.
MetteAndersen1
January 14, 2026

Thank you very much for the feedback, it was very useful.

I appreciate the photo you attatched of the image before and after adjusting the shadows and highlights - makes it very clear to me what is the issue 🙂

Thanks!

daniellei4510
Community Expert
Community Expert
January 14, 2026

Happy to be of help and good luck going forward!

Adobe Community Expert | If you aren't submitting your assets in sRGB, you probably didn't read the rules.
ZALEZPHOTO
Inspiring
January 14, 2026

I'm thinking that you submitted the brighter deck photo, and as far as I'm concerned, the exposure is fine.

To me the photo of the pinecone has part of the cone in focus, you captured the essence of what you saw, and it's also fine. 

So why the rejections?  "I think"  Adobe gives a lot of room for shallow depth of field to lifestyle photos, and not so much for photos like yours... I mean these are fine shots, but not WOW photos the moderator thought worth approving, but probably on the basis of their marketability. 

I also like shooting shallow depths of field, and have prime lenses to do so, but have been forced to adjust by closing my lens more for stock.

I started a year ago, and about 6 months ago I stop dwelling on the rejections... And that mindset is definitely paying off.

Challenge yourself more each month and don't stop!

Cheers! 

ZALEZPHOTO
MetteAndersen1
January 14, 2026

Thank you for the feedback! I think I will have to learn more about depth of feild.

And thank you for the encouraging words, really appreciate it!

Cheers to you

RALPH_L
Community Expert
Community Expert
January 14, 2026

Shadows are underexposed.

MetteAndersen1
January 14, 2026

Thank you for your reply, RALPH_L

I am aware that photography is more than just pressing a button - I am a beginner at photography and constantly trying to learn and improve, so while it may look like just "pressing buttons" to you, I put effort into these images, both while shooting and in post-processing. 

Now I am trying to learn how I can do better next time 😉 

yamato713108855
Community Expert
Community Expert
January 14, 2026

Photos with blown out highlights or crushed shadows will be rejected.

 

Photos with shallow focus may also be rejected.

AdobeStock prefers a deeper depth of field.

 

Color noise is noticeable in wooden decks, so remove it in Lightroom.

MetteAndersen1
January 14, 2026

Thank you for the feedback, appreciate it 🙂