Inspiring

Question

What's wrong with this picture?

Forum|Forum|10 months ago
April 8, 2025
5 replies
268 views

Hi All

I fully understand that quality standards differ between companies. I have just discovered that this image has been rejected for quality reasons. The only problem is, it doesnt tell me in what way the quality is lacking.

For your inofrmation, this images has been posted on iStock, Pond5, Alamy and Shutterstock and has been appoved and published.

I would be interetsed to hear but please dont tell me it's because the post processing is not accepted as it was done in Lightroom Classic.

Many Thanks

Nancy OShea

Community Expert

this image has been posted on iStock, Pond5, Alamy and Shutterstock and has been appoved and published.
By @PBJM Studios

===========

That's nice But getting accepted doesn't always equate to sales.
Other services have different customers with different expectations.
Stock pays higher royalty fees so they expect commercial quality content for use in professional projects -- print, digital and merchandise.

Good luck.

Nancy O'Shea— Product User & Community Expert

Nancy OShea

Community Expert

While Balance is off. Too much green on the lion, probably from the ambient surroundings.

Sharpness of details could be better.

Stock Images are evaluated on the basis of Technical as well as Visual quality.

Technical Quality:

Resolution: The detail and sharpness of the image, measured in pixels or megapixels.

Noise: Random pixel variations that can appear as graininess, especially in low-light conditions.

Dynamic Range: The ability of the image to capture details in both the brightest and darkest areas simultaneously.

Color Fidelity: The accuracy and naturalness of colors in the image.

Sharpness: How clearly the edges and details are rendered in the image.

Exposure: The correct amount of light captured by the camera, avoiding overexposure or underexposure .

White Balance: Ensuring that colors appear natural and not skewed by the lighting conditions.

Focus: Depth of field, the extent to which objects in the foreground & background are in focus.

Compression Artifacts: Distortions that can occur when images are compressed, or taken with a small sensor camera like a phone.

Visual Quality:

Composition: The arrangement of elements within the frame, using rules like the rule of thirds , leading lines, and symmetry.

Lighting: The quality and direction of light, which can create mood and highlight certain elements.

Color and Tone: The use of color, contrast, and tonality to create visual impact and evoke emotions.

Subject Matter: The choice of what to photograph and how it relates to the overall message of the image.

Point of View: The angle and perspective from which the image is taken.

Aesthetic Appeal: The overall visual impact and beauty of the image.

Storytelling: The ability of the image to convey a message or evoke an emotional response.

Also, who owns the lion?

Most zoo & wild animal park animals are protected property. Did you obtain a signed property release to use his likeness commercially?

You'll find more details in your Stock Contributor User Guide.

Hope that helps.

Nancy O'Shea— Product User & Community Expert

jacquelingphoto2017

Community Expert

Hi @PBJM Studios ,

I find two issues:

The lion has a green tint. That's white balance issue.

Camera shake.

Best wishes

Jacquelin

Jill_C

Community Expert

Using Lightroom Classic, or anything other editing program, does not ensure that Adobe's quality standards are met. In addition to the soft focus, there is a green tinge in the fur; a WB adjustment is needed.

Jill C., Forum Volunteer

Abambo

Community Expert

but please dont tell me it's because the post processing is not accepted as it was done in Lightroom Classic.

By @PBJM Studios

That's absolutely not related. You could do the post in any program and it would earn a rejection.

I fully understand that quality standards differ between companies. I have just discovered that this image has been rejected for quality reasons. The only problem is, it doesnt tell me in what way the quality is lacking.

For your inofrmation, this images has been posted on iStock, Pond5, Alamy and Shutterstock and has been appoved and published.

By @PBJM Studios

As we stated a lot here: it's irrelevant what other stock companies reject or accept. Adobe is doing their own checking. Also, Quality issues are normally easy to check: look at your asset at 100%, check for artefacts and sharpness. Check the histogram. Check for noise, and you are probably done.

In your case, the issue is the sharpness. The eyes need to be crisp sharp.

You also have noise. In addition, the asset is slightly underexposed, but could pass as such and the saturation a tick too high.

Those issues are all mentioned under the quality issues refusal.

ABAMBO | Hard- and Software Engineer | Photographer

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