Daniel Nicholson: Pre-Screening Advice

[dn88]

Historically I used to achieve at least 90% acceptance ratio but after spending a couple of years with few uploads, and also changing to a new editing laptop, I'm having a nightmare getting photos accepted!

I'm editing them pretty much the same as I used to, and they "look" ok to me on the screen, but for example this was recently rejected for Bad Processing:



Could someone kindly advise more specifically which part is deemed poorly processed, so that I can focus on improving whatever it is I'm doing wrong?

Additionally, I haven't uploaded this one yet but wanted to know whether it would get rejected for aircraft not centred? I was hoping that the subject matter would allow the aircraft not to be centred, or maybe whether it even constitutes an "Airport Overview"...?



Thank you!

[Aaron Vancoillie]

It might be the fact that the sky looks like a gradient. Sometimes even when it’s natural this can happen. If there isn’t an added gradient an appeal can be the solution but I’d wait until a screener replies, they have more insight.

[Julian S.]

Historically I used to achieve at least 90% acceptance ratio but after spending a couple of years with few uploads, and also changing to a new editing laptop, I'm having a nightmare getting photos accepted!

I'm editing them pretty much the same as I used to, and they "look" ok to me on the screen, but for example this was recently rejected for Bad Processing:



Could someone kindly advise more specifically which part is deemed poorly processed, so that I can focus on improving whatever it is I'm doing wrong?

Additionally, I haven't uploaded this one yet but wanted to know whether it would get rejected for aircraft not centred? I was hoping that the subject matter would allow the aircraft not to be centred, or maybe whether it even constitutes an "Airport Overview"...?



Thank you!

Hello,

they look indeed overprocessed and kind of unnatural.
Colors on the BA are very strong and as Aaron pointed out the sky looks like some kind of gradient was applied.
In the Image of the E2 some buildings have strong editing halos around and also the sky is veery saturated to me.

Have a good day!

[B7772ADL]

Did you appeal the A350 shot and what was the outcome of that? To me it does look a little over-saturated and it could be interpreted that a gradient has been added to the sky (as it appears that way). If you can prove otherwise then you may have an acceptable case.

With the LCY shot, it's more of a runway shot, and it might be ok off centre if you explain why. However, it could be rejected for over-processed as there are some halos around the buildings in the background, but overall a nice photo.

[dn88]

The A350 has no gradient however I did edit slightly the "luminance" in the blue channel which may have generated the effect. Saturation overall in Lightroom was "only" +30 which is the standard number I've use for 10+ years. I guess I will tone it down slightly and try a re-upload.

Re the LCY shot, is the consensus an upload as "Airport Overview" and then select "Runway"? Or do I upload it using the aircraft details but then tick "Airport Overview" category? This shot also had the same +30 saturation amount, it was just a very vibrant sunset sky!

[B7772ADL]

The A350 has no gradient however I did edit slightly the "luminance" in the blue channel which may have generated the effect. Saturation overall in Lightroom was "only" +30 which is the standard number I've use for 10+ years. I guess I will tone it down slightly and try a re-upload.

Re the LCY shot, is the consensus an upload as "Airport Overview" and then select "Runway"? Or do I upload it using the aircraft details but then tick "Airport Overview" category? This shot also had the same +30 saturation amount, it was just a very vibrant sunset sky!

With respect you haven't considered the screener's comments regarding "overprocessed" which focuses on the halos in the image. Take a look at the "Shard" for expample. There is a massive contrast halo around it. This is a big "no". There are further expamples in the photo which are evident.

[dn88]

Hi James, thanks for taking the time to reply. Apologies, I should have made myself clearer, the A350 has been rejected for Over Processed (can only imagine from the apparent gradient, caused by an adjustment I made in the blue tones)....the LCY shot was a pre-screening request. I'm not too sure what's causing the halos, I did a small clarity adjustment (+10) but maybe that caused it? I have re-edited it from scratch with zero clarity, and hope that they are no longer visible in this version:

[dn88]

Another rejection today. This is not a complaint, I would just like to know in your opinion:

a) where is the grain visible? I personally can't see any.

and b) is it too much, or too little, contrast causing the rejection?

As I mentioned above I'm on a new editing laptop and have never received so many rejections previously, so just trying to re-calibrate my eyes and figure where I'm going wrong.

[dlowwa]

Another rejection today. This is not a complaint, I would just like to know in your opinion:

a) where is the grain visible? I personally can't see any.

and b) is it too much, or too little, contrast causing the rejection?

As I mentioned above I'm on a new editing laptop and have never received so many rejections previously, so just trying to re-calibrate my eyes and figure where I'm going wrong.

Minor amount of noise visible on fuselage. Not really an issue for me.
Contrast probably because the light is coming from the back rather than the front. Borderline for me.

[dn88]

Minor amount of noise visible on fuselage. Not really an issue for me.
Contrast probably because the light is coming from the back rather than the front. Borderline for me.

Thanks dlowwa. I guess if it's borderline, not much point of an appeal?

It's a few years since I really used to upload a lot of images - it seems that maybe there is less room these days for anything that might be considered "artistic" (in this case, the light coming slightly from behind) and instead JP would prefer full sunshine directly on the fuselage?

[dlowwa]

Thanks dlowwa. I guess if it's borderline, not much point of an appeal?

It's a few years since I really used to upload a lot of images - it seems that maybe there is less room these days for anything that might be considered "artistic" (in this case, the light coming slightly from behind) and instead JP would prefer full sunshine directly on the fuselage?

An appeal is up to you. Personally, the image is a little dark/harshly contrasted for me, so if I got the appeal, it would be rejected. Others may disagree.

On it being 'artistic'.. did you go with the intention of shooting with the light from that direction, or was it just how it happened to be at the time?