Tips

1) Reasons for refusal

You just uploaded your first batch of top quality pictures but after a few days you receive the sad news that half of them have been refused ! What gives? Here are some points to watch out.

• Poor focus
  Make sure your main subject is in focus. Most stock companies don't care about artistic blur but you can use motion blur to demonstrate movement.
  
  
  
  Blurry but ok! (source : iStock)
  

• Poor lighting
  Avoid distracting shadows or blown highlights.
  
  
  
  Shadows? No, thanks! (source : iStock)
  
  
• Excessive noise, grain & color distortion
• Compression artifacts
  Always save your files using the highest JPEG quality settings.
  
  
• Over filtering
  Using Photoshop to improve your files is fine but don't overdo it.
  
  
  
  Would you buy this? (source : iStock)
  
  
• Poor isolation & cropping
  Clearly defined subjects sell better. ie : an object against a white background.
  It helps to have a light tent to isolate the subject... Or you can do it in Photoshop if you have the skills.
  
  
• Dust & debris in scans
• Poor composition
• Inappropriate title or description
  It's one thing to submit a photograph, it's another to give it a correct title and description
  
  
• Copyright / trademark infringement or risk
• Adult content
  However artistic nude can be ok with some companies.
  Check out the rules before you submit.
  
  
• Profane or violent Images