Why do my images keep getting rejected for quality/similarity issues?

Forum|Forum|1 day ago
July 19, 2026
4 replies
41 views

Hi, I'm a new contributor and all my recent submissions have been rejected. I've tried both real photography and AI-generated abstract backgrounds, but both types keep getting rejected.

For photos: I submitted close-up flower shots (taken with a mobile phone) and got rejected for "quality standards" - possibly soft focus or noise issues.

For AI-generated content: I submitted abstract texture backgrounds (obsidian/marble style and ice/amber style) created with AI tools, and got rejected for both "resolution too small" and later "too similar to existing content."

I've made sure to:
- Use original high-resolution files (not compressed via WhatsApp)
- Label AI content correctly with the "Created using generative AI tools" checkbox
- Try to make each submission visually distinct

Could someone with more experience take a look and tell me what specific technical issues to look for? I'm attaching example images below. Any specific feedback on composition, sharpness, or what makes content stand out would be really helpful.

Thank you!

Nancy OShea

Community Expert

You’re choosing subjects that Stock is already flooded with. Find something less competitive to submit.

Flowers has 77 million results
https://stock.adobe.com/search?k=flowers
Abstracts has 146 million results
https://stock.adobe.com/search?k=abstract

Snapshots from your phone camera might be OK for social media. But Stock customers have higher expectations. They want content that’s in-demand & ready for commercial use.

Cyclospora, Ebola, screw worm and hantavirus are trending:

Hope that helps.

Nancy O'Shea— Product User & Community Expert

yamato713108855

Community Expert

Smartphone screens are too small to adequately check the focus.
Please check the image on a PC monitor, zoomed in to 100% size.
You will see that the flower is out of focus.

In addition to focus issues, you should also pay attention to exposure and composition.

daniellei4510

Community Expert

Another example of your highlights being clipped. The image is overexposed. Also, the colors of the flowers themselves look muddied, most likely because of the small sensor of your cell phone.

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

daniellei4510

Community Expert

The flowers are too tightly cropped and in need of some post-editing, In any event, a search for flowers yields over 77 million results, so this is where the similar content issues come up. Same with AI abstract backgrounds and wallpapers.

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

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