Skip to main content
N
Nick27953846pa5m
Participating Frequently
January 16, 2023
Question

Advice: Image rejections

  • January 16, 2023
  • 3 replies
  • 2043 views

Hello, I'm new to Adobe Stock as a contributor. I've submitted a couple hundred photos over the past few months and none of them have been selected. I can understand if it's a formatting or quality issue, but the consistency in what photos are selected leaves me scratching my head. I submitted this image of Thun, Switzerland that was rejected. I thought maybe it isn't large enough, but other similar photos at larger sizes I submitted were rejected.

 

Then I see photos on Adobe Stock that look like this:

 

So I'm wondering what specific criteria I'm missing? Are the photos I'm submitting too saturated? Are they too small? Thanks in advance.

3 replies

Ricky336
Community Expert
Ricky336Community Expert
Community Expert
January 17, 2023

Hello,

You've got a lot of replies already, but to reiterate...

Firstly, what type of camera did you use, a smartphone (Apple iPhone, Samsung?...)? I ask because the pixels become a little more 'blocky' when enlarged to 100%. This is due to JPEG compression. JPEG uses lossy compression - pixels that are not needed are removed; it is used to save space. The unfortunate consequence of this method is that there is a reduction in quality, esp noticeable if one does large enlargements - as the case could be with stock!

Your photo seems to come under this. The specific criteria, in this case, (I think) is that the pixels appear blocky.

The other picture you referred to, I can't really say, as it is a screenshot? but probably doesn't suffer from compression artifacts. (Composition is bad, however!)

The white balance issue that was pointed out, I don't think is an issue in this case! It's a sunny day -the camera's software probably increased the blues and greens 

George_F
Community Expert
George_FCommunity Expert
Community Expert
January 16, 2023

There are many reasons why photos may have been acceptable in the past but are no longer acceptable.  There are also legacy photos from before the Fotolia acquisition that may also not meet today's standards.  I suspect I have a few photos in my portfolio that wouldn't be accepted in by today's standards.

 

But we're always to review photos and offer some feedback.  You didn't mention what reason is given with the rejected photos?  It would be helpful to know.  I see both technical issues with a blue color cast and oversaturation, and potential IP issues as there appears to be a building in the photo that stands out more than the rest.  There is a plane in the sky that should probably be cloned out, and the clouds have some odd coloring to them that may be a result of the oversaturation.  I'd prefer to see a bit more detail in the mountains, but I'm not sure that led to the rejection.  There is a halo around the top mountain.

 

At first glance it really is a nice photo and I really like it, but the small details are important when it comes to commercial work.  

 

Including the metadata along with your photos will also help get more specific feedback

 

I hope this helps, feel free to reach out with more questions 🙂

George F, Photographer & Forum Volunteer
N
Nick27953846pa5mAuthor
Participating Frequently
January 16, 2023

Thank you for the feedback. The reasons given for rejection are very vague; usually "quality issues" but not a very specific reason given. I understand that giving detailed feedback on every photo would be impossible but I feel there should be a bit more reason given, if for no other reason than to help people avoid submitting unacceptable photos that need reviewed.

N
Nick27953846pa5mAuthor
Participating Frequently
January 16, 2023

I think the very fact that you are comparing images by looking at the preview of the image and deciding which one is pleasing means you aren't in touch with what Adobe need.  They are not snapshots. There are great compositions and fair compositions; the great composition will sell a lot better. But Adobe's photo-buying customers will download what they buy, and look at it with a 200% magification. If they see technical problems, like the sort of blurring they find in your image, they will be horrified, they will complain, they will ask for a refund, and Adobe's reputation will suffer. Your images need to be world class commercial photography, technically perfect. If you can also make them a great shot, and choose a suitable (underrepresented) subject, then they should sell well.


The problem arises from seeing photos like the one I posted from Adobe Stock. I understand my image isn't to their standards. The issue is finding what their threshhold is for quality. I understand and accept all the criticisms from my photo. That being said, the second photo (The one on Adobe Stock) is far from world class commercial photography. That's why I was confused, and why I made the comparison.

Abambo
Community Expert
AbamboCommunity Expert
Community Expert
January 16, 2023

What was the rejection reason? Technical issues?

 

Your picture does not meet the quality requirements for Adobe stock:

  • No details due to excessive (in-camera) noise reduction.
  • White balance issue, the picture is too cold (bluish).

In addition, if the picture would nicely focussed and sharp, you would probably need model releases for the persons here:

 

And you may need to edit out the logo here:

 

The picture you showed, that has been accepted, is not a good picture, and I wouldn't buy it, but is technically correct and technically in a better shape than yours. And I see that even on the preview.

 

If you are new to stock, you should consider these resources: https://helpx.adobe.com/stock/contributor/tutorials.html
Please read the contributor user manual for more information on Adobe stock contributions: https://helpx.adobe.com/stock/contributor/user-guide.html
See here for rejection reasons: https://helpx.adobe.com/stock/contributor/help/reasons-for-content-rejection.html
and especially quality and technical issues: https://helpx.adobe.com/stock/contributor/help/quality-and-technical-issues.html

ABAMBO | Hard- and Software Engineer | Photographer
    George_F
    Community Expert
    George_FCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    January 16, 2023

    @Abambo Good catch on the people and logos.

    George F, Photographer & Forum Volunteer
      Abambo
      Community Expert
      AbamboCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      January 17, 2023
      quote

      @Abambo Good catch on the people and logos.


      By @George_F

      There is a good probability, that you find elements like this in a city/village view. It's the second thing I look at, when examining my pictures. The first thing is sharpness. 

      ABAMBO | Hard- and Software Engineer | Photographer
        Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
        Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices