Rejected for quality issues. Experienced Contributor feedback please.

[stephanieg19129459]

New to submitting stock images and would like feedback on why it was rejected and how I can improve so other submissions are not rejected. Thank you. 

[Nancy OShea · Accepted solution]

Way, way tooooo dark.

Open images in Photoshop or Lightroom and examine in the Histogram panel.

Rule number one in photography is proper lighting for your subject.

[stephanieg19129459]

Thank you for the reply. Is this more along the lines of what they are looking for? I purposedly made the original image darker because I like dark and moody type photos, but if that is not what Adobe is looking for I understand. 

[Abambo]

A low-key picture is a darker, but still correctly exposed picture. You are simply underexposed here, which is not suitable for stock:

First picture:

Second picture:

(It's much better, but it still needs a kick in the whites.)

[Nancy OShea · Accepted solution]

2nd attempt.  Poor focus on left spoon handle and rosemary.  IMO, the lighting is still not right.  Depth of field could be better.

Suggest you compare your work with other similarly styled food photography in Stock.  What are these contributors doing differently? 

https://stock.adobe.com/search?k=%22dark%20food%20photography%22

Hope that helps.

[Henrik Heigl]

Hi,

it seems to me that the Depth of Field is way to small and its as said before to dark.

Before you submit, please review the submission guidelines carefully and compare your work with other Stock inventory.

https://helpx.adobe.com/stock/contributor/help/reasons-for-content-rejection.html
https://helpx.adobe.com/stock/contributor/help/quality-and-technical-issues.html  https://helpx.adobe.com/stock/contributor/help/photography-illustrations.html
https://helpx.adobe.com/stock/how-to/tips-stock-image-acceptance.html

Hope that helps.

[stephanieg19129459]

Just so I am clear, the updated version is considered under exposed as well?

[Jill_C]

The second version doesn't appear to be underexposed but is unevenly lit. The upper right corner is darker than the rest of the image and the objects are not uniformly in focus.

[jacquelingphoto2017]

Hi @stephanieg19129459 ,

The frame is under exposed and not in sharp focus. The composition could have been improved if you did include the element on the right or remove it completely.

To find most issues zoom in on your files at between 100 and 200%.  You will find useful information here that will help you identify and correct most issues. Also you will benefit from the Adobe Contributor Learn and Support page.

Best wishes

Jacquelin

[stephanieg19129459]

Just so I am clear, the updated version is considered under exposed as well?

[RALPH_L]

Too dark and poorly cropped.