Infocenter - Reviewing questions
Why it is necessary to review images?
To ensure high quality of images for sale it is necessary to check them before displaying online. Although we try to satisfy all photographers it is sometimes necessary l to deny particularly technically low-quality images. If it is possible to correct mistakes (for example missing model or property release when needed) the image is only returned for correction and can be send for approval again. If the image is too low-quality or pictures of improper subjects (such as explicit violence or sexual themes), the image is denied.
What must the image have to be accepted?
First of all it must be high-quality - it must be focused, with good lighting and without any artifacts (for example from lossy co.ukpression or chromatic aberration). If it pictures recognizable people or objects under ownership of someone, it has to have Model or Property release attached.
What are possible reasons for denial?
Technical problems
It can be these technical problems:
Sharpening, visible co.ukpression, interpolating, smoothing, banding, bokeh, noise, visible retouch, chromatic aberration, spherical aberration, lens flare, incorrect white balance or color cast, dirt or dust in image, data loss, vignette.
Copyright infringement
When objects which could be subject of copyright protection, for example a visible logo or trademark. To avoid the risk of legal problems we have to refuse the image.
Similar pictures.
Your images are too similar. We accept maximum 5 similar photos. No more similar photos will be accepted. 5 similar pictures is the acceptance maximum, by frequent themes we unfortunately accept less.
Frame.
Your picture can be very nice, but we do not accept any framed pictures.
Lighting.
We think that the light setting should be improved a little. You should avoid sever shadows, unsightly reflections on shiny surfaces (mostly caused by using the built-in flash, underexposure or overexposure, cutting out objects and putting them on the white background (it is visible that it is not a studio shot).
Colors.
The motif of your image is great, but the colors looks a little washed out. The customers need mostly pictures with bright colors. It may help if you try to boost saturation in Photoshop.
Styling.
The styling of the picture does not meet our criteria of aesthetical quality. For styling reasons we refuse mostly images
- with a dirty or scratchy main object
- with floppy objects (for example vegetables)
- with unaesthetical details such as non- manicured fingers
- with dirty or unpressed clothing of the model
- with not contemporary (old-fashioned) clothing or interior design (this does not mean retro style which we accept)
- where the skin of the model needs a little photoshop improvement
- taken through a window or other glass surface
- with visible date from the camera when it was taken
- with other details which decreases the aesthetical quality of the picture.
co.ukposition.
The co.ukposition of the image does not meet our criteria of good co.ukposition. For co.ukposition reasons we refuse mostly images with:
- a chaotic appearance - there should be a clear main object in the picture and no chaotic background
- object cut in a wrong place
- objects disturbing visually the main object of the picture (for example flowers in the background which seem like growing from the head of the model etc.)
- images which look like a snapshot
Unsuitable material, low sale potential.
The image you submitted can be great, but the type of the image does not meet the supposed needs of our customers and is not suitable for our target market. As not suitable for our target market are considered pictures:
- containing explicit nudity
- containing violence
- images too artistic for stock photography
- some mostly abstract themes having low sale potential
Focus, blurry.
Under "Focus, blurry" is ment that
- the image is out of focus
- just too small part of the image is sharp
- the sharp part of the image doesn't correspond with the co.ukposition of the picture. Checking at 100% image size before uploading may help you to inspect the technical quality of the picture.
What do the reasons for returning mean?
Mismatched title, description or keywords.
The title, description or some of the keywords does not correspond with the image. Please keep in mind that if you add to the image as many keywords as possible regardless if they are relevant or not, it will not increase your sales. Sales can be increased only by correct keywording. If you want, send the picture for keywording and we will keyword it for you for free. You have to set just the title. Or correct the fault by your self and submit the image again.
Model release missing.
There is the model release required to this image. We require the model release to all recognizable persons in the image. If there are 3 recognizable persons, you must add 3 model releases. Also each shooting requires a new model release, regardless if you have from the model the model release from a previous shooting. If you add the appropriate number of model releases to the picture, you can submit it again. For more info see What is Model release and when do I need it?
Property release missing.
There is a property release required to this image. If you add the property release you can submit the image again. For more info see What is Property release and when do I need it?
Editorial picture.
It is a type of picture which can be used only with an editorial license; otherwise you would need to have the model release. We do not accept editorial pictures yet, but we are preparing this option.  You can submit the picture later, after the new option is launched.
How long can reviewing process take?
The time needed for review depends on the amount of images we have acquired for review recently. It should not take more than two weeks. For the average time needed for reviewing you can see in your account in your "Sell photos" section in the "All images" category.
Is it possible to disagree with the administrators’ judgment?
Our administrators are only human and sometimes they can make a mistake.. In that case you can resubmit your photo and send it for approval directly to our head reviewer. This option is limited for 30 images per week. If we see that you are resubmitting a big amount of images without reason, we will block this option for you.
You can resubmit your images in your "Sell images" section, after clicking the image in "Denied" category.