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Participant
September 12, 2026
Question

Most of my photos are being rejected — could you help me understand why?

  • September 12, 2026
  • 9 replies
  • 90 views

Hello all, 

I have submitted these photos to Adobe Stock, but they have been rejected due to quality reasons. Could you kindly take a look at the attached photos and explain specifically why you think they may not meet Adobe Stock’s requirements.

Are there problems with technical quality, focus, lighting, composition, editing, subject choice, commercial value, or anything else?

Please be direct and specific, as we would like to understand whether the main issue is the submission process or the quality and suitability of the photos themselves.

Thank you for your honest feedback !
 

    9 replies

    Nancy OShea
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    September 12, 2026

    Before you submit content to Stock, read your Contributor User Guide. 

    Start with the 4-part photography requirements below.

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

     

    Also read about Moderation, Known Image Restrictions, Quality & Technical Issues. In some cases you’ll need signed Model or Property Releases to submit your photos for commercial use.

    https://helpx.adobe.com/stock/contributor/content-policies-guidelines/model-property-releases/property-release-overview.html

     

    Good luck.

     

    Nancy O'Shea— Product User & Community Expert
    Legend
    September 12, 2026

    Little (or no) commercial value. The highlights and shadows need to be fixed. The best image is the two towers (if lighting is being fixed) - but the modern roof in the foreground ruins the image. Why not go to the other side of the towers?

    daniellei4510
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    September 12, 2026

    Always check your histogram.

     

    Adobe Community Expert | I have miles to go before I sleep, but I'm all done on this end.
    RALPH_L
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    September 12, 2026

    Exposure and some cropping errors

    Participant
    September 12, 2026

    Thank you!

    yamato713108855
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    September 12, 2026

    Images with blown-out highlights or crushed blacks will be rejected.
    Please shoot in RAW format and process the images in Lightroom before submitting them.

     

    Let's start here.
    https://helpx.adobe.com/stock/contributor.html

    Participant
    September 12, 2026

    Thanks!!

    Ricky336
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    September 12, 2026

    Hello,

    Composition could be better. For the church steeples, you have too much light from the sky. The background is too bright. Avoid taking photos against a strong light background.

    With this shot:

    the tree trunk is in the way!

    So, there are problems with lighting, composition, subject choice, commercial value...

    I think the main problem is indeed with the quality and suitability with the photos.

    Remember that the photos being used are for commercial purposes, so you have to think how they can be used. What is the commercial value in these shots?

    Read about composition from Adobe:

    Composition

    Participant
    September 12, 2026

    Thank you!!