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A
Antonio Veraldi
Participating Frequently
September 11, 2025
Answered

Variations of reality

  • September 11, 2025
  • 3 replies
  • 439 views

Hi, I am a contributor and would like to know if I can submit a photo of an urban center (for commercial use) that shows an ancient artistic balustrade where to highlight it better I have eliminated a building (houses) that is in the back. Generally, I'd like to know if changes to the actual image by removing windows, balconies, buildings, etc. are not permitted for photos of streets, squares, buildings, or cityscapes in general. Thanks and regards. Antonio Veraldi

Correct answer Nancy OShea

You can add or remove whatever you want. That's not the issue.

This issue here is IP. You cannot use another artist's work or landmark buildings as your main subject without written permission by the persons or entity that own it.  

 

See links below.

 

Hope that helps. 

 

3 replies

Nancy OShea
Community Expert
Nancy OSheaCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
September 11, 2025

You can add or remove whatever you want. That's not the issue.

This issue here is IP. You cannot use another artist's work or landmark buildings as your main subject without written permission by the persons or entity that own it.  

 

See links below.

 

Hope that helps. 

 

Nancy O'Shea— Product User & Community Expert
daniellei4510
Community Expert
daniellei4510Community Expert
Community Expert
September 11, 2025

It would help if we could see a before and after. But based on your description, I would say the site in question sounds far removed from the original enough to be regarded as a false representation of the location in question. So, say if a travel site purchased your asset, their visitors would not be seeing the area as it actually exists.

Adobe Community Expert | If you can't fix it, hide it; if you can't hide it, delete it.
    A
    Antonio VeraldiAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    September 11, 2025

    I understand what you're saying and I can empathize, but the question here is whether it's (legally) possible to do so or not.

    daniellei4510
    Community Expert
    daniellei4510Community Expert
    Community Expert
    September 11, 2025

    "Legally," that's up to Adobe. And we aren't Adobe employees. As per my post, I think it's a question of ethics and how it might potentially come down on the buyer with respect to misrepresentation. The decision to submit as was shot or as edited is up to you. But keep in mind that National Geographic once had to apologize for moving a mountain in the background an inch or so to make room for its logo. 🙂

    Adobe Community Expert | If you can't fix it, hide it; if you can't hide it, delete it.
      Z
      ZALEZPHOTO
      Inspiring
      September 11, 2025

      As far as I'm awere, you must not remove more than 15% of an image... It sounds like you will be doing more than that which would be a problem. Plus keep in mind that the removal of items would have to be impecable... Photoshops AI features could possibly do it, but any imperfections yu would have to fix manually...

      The question is if it's worth all that work... I would try it just to find out

       

      Francisco ZALEZPHOTO
      A
      Antonio VeraldiAuthor
      Participating Frequently
      September 11, 2025

      Thank you for your answer and I wonder how I should check if the deleted building represents 15% of the entire image? Since you are not sure if your answer is currently correct, which expert on this site or on Adobe photo stock can give me such an answer? Hope that one of them will do it. Cheers

      Jill_C
      Community Expert
      Jill_CCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      September 11, 2025

      I haven't heard about the 15% rule; however, since you will most likely use AI tools to alter the image, such a drastic edit, as well as the fact that you will have altered the reality of the scene, probably means that you will need to declare it as a Generative AI image.

      Jill C., Forum Volunteer
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