Reason for rejection better explained

[Jeff_&_Tricia]

I have had issues with Adobe Stock rejecting some of my images that other stock sights ready accept. These images are often rejected due to "ILLUSTRATIVE EDITORIAL ISSUE" reason. Not sure what that means exactly or why it applies to the subject matter that I have submitted. One reason for my confusion is that I can find the EXACT same locations taken by other photographers already approved on your site for purchase.

I spend a lot of money and time traveling to these locations, photographing the subject matter and then completing the post-processing only to have it rejected.

Why is mine rejected when others have been approved? And how do I prevent the wasted effort going forward?

One of my biggest sellers on your platform is the Utah capitol building in Salt Lake City. Why is this subject matter acceptable and yet a Masachusetts' lighthouse off of much traveled Cape Cod not accepted?

Jeff Edwards
jde28786@gmail.com

[Jill_C]

Here are Adobe's guidelines for illustrative editorial submissions:

What is illustrative editorial content?

At Adobe Stock, we define illustrative editorial as conceptual imagery designed to illustrate articles on current events and newsworthy topics. This type of content often features images of real brands and products — like signs on buildings, soda cans, computers, and cars — to convey a story. Illustrative editorial content is made available to Adobe Stock customers for editorial use only.

Illustrative editorial isn’t the same as editorial content, which documents events or incidents that are currently occurring or developing, or that have already occurred. We do not accept traditional editorial content at this time."

It's most likely that the Moderators do not believe that there is any "current event or newsworthy topic" for which a picture of a lighthouse is needed. 

There is no avenue to dispute the findings of the Moderators, so don't even waste your time trying to contact Adobe to get a second chance. You can try submitting again without using the illustrative editorial category. I'm not sure whether the lighthouse would earn an IP rejection.

By the way, viewing these on my iPad, they all look quite oversaturated.

[George_F]

I see a big difference between a Capitol Building and a Lighthouse when it comes to being a popular newsworthy photo.  I'm sure there is a range of opinions here though.

Are you sure you have the description in the correct format including date and location?  Read more about that here: Illustrative Editorial 

It's been speculated that internal policies change over time, sometimes as a result of litigation.  That could very well explain why lighthouses were accepted previously without restrictions such as being editorial only, and now aren't. 

There are also many assets grandfathered in from before Fotolia was acquired by Adobe.

I hope you have better luck with future submissions!

[RALPH_L]

The lighthouse probably belongs to the State Department. Most states do not allow their property to be merchandised. With that I mean that you make money on their property. Exception is Editorial Usage". You need a property release.

[Jill_C]

There are hundreds of images of this lighthouse already in the database, which is why I questioned whether a property release will be requested; it seems unlikely that hundreds of photographers went to the trouble to get a property release...