Rejected for Technical Issues?

As mentioned above, in most cases we do not accept black and white images. There are exceptions that can be made if the moderation determines the file has strong sales potential in the black and white format. In most cases however you are better off uploading the clean, color version which allows the customer to use the file in color or to convert to black and white to match their project.

In this particular image I see the value to the black and white conversion and I like the spooky effect the motion blur provides. The problem I see is the black and white conversion is fairly muddy and lacks contrast. It seems a bit underexposed in general and lacks the crisp pop I see in most accepted black and white files.

If you shot the image in RAW format you might try increasing the exposure about a stop or maybe just under then increasing the contrast. No guarantees it will get approved but that's what I would do.

Good luck,

Mat

Except the information at Do's and don'ts for selecting and editing photos for Adobe Stock is incorrect, this link should put a rest to the black and white guessing. It says at Image Adjustments "Don’t: Convert your image to black & white or duotone. Buyers want the maximum flexibility provided by the full color image". The first flaw the moderator sees is the one they use for rejection. I don't think black and white would be so difficult to see.

Regards

JG

Thank you both for your input. I'll sell the "ghost"  photos elsewhere, they do sell on the other sites.

Note that I did not apply a special effect, except B&W conversion. The "ghost" effect came out of the camera that way with a single exposure.

Hi madscica

Adobe do not accept images with special effect. The customers will apply the special effect themselves. You applying special effect to your images limit their salability. Therefore in addition to what Joan has said, it would be good for you to go through the following information

tagproducts_SG_STOCK-CONTRIBUTOR_i18nKeyHelppagetitle

Create better photos for Adobe Stock with 7 tips for success |

Best wishes

JG

Hello madscica, First off I must tell you that there are very few black and white purchases by Adobe buyers so Adobe does not accept many and those few they do accept must be better than best quality and extremely unique. Most customers can change any color photo to the black and white mode on their own. If customers buy a color photo, they get two different uses out of that one shot. Saves buyers money!

Secondly, technical rejections cover a large array of things. We on the forum look at this photo as you also must, enlarge it to 100 - 200% and go over every inch looking for things Adobe lists in their guidelines for stock contributors. Several focus problems exist and might be part of the reason for rejection.

In general, anyone looking at this photo as it is can not know this is a knight ghost. It looks more like a bad photograph of shadows - you will need to sharpen the figure to give it an easy identification for a potential buyer. You have over diminished the figure and it is now just a blur. The sword looks as though it might be interesting so un-ghost it and show it sharp. The ghost can be only a little transparent and suggest a ghost.

Also, you might need to clean up the mess of branches, they do give mood to the setting but are impossible for a buyer to spend time on - taking away the confusion and giving focus to the ghost.

Exposure and lighting are also poor and uninteresting. There is so much wrong with this picture you would be better off reshooting it and leave in its original color.

No, I do not think you should give up. I know you should study the guidelines and follow them. Here is a place for you to study. One of my illustrations was rejected because I did not fully connect part of the mountain to the edge of the canvas.

Be diligent and conform to Adobe's requirements. Maybe save your original artsy things for a private gallery. Best of wishes, JH

More details about Technical Issues is at More details about Technical Issues is at Quality and technical issues rejected at Adobe Stock.