Hi Donna,
 
I am sorry perhaps I misunderstood your point.
 
I don't see how they can set definitive guidelines based on an artistic, illustrative or photographic quality (unless the no-brainers already mentioned), the marketability of the overall design would be the judgement call that I can see, but perhaps I am missing something. Thus a rejection is simply we don't think it will sell, nothing to do with judging the artistic or other merits of the card or the artists ability.
 
When I send in a design I am not expecting an artistic evaluation or judgement on my work, purely a 'do you think it may be marketable'? If they reject it, they reject it. This seems to be how the stock sites operate, there is a level of technical criteria to be fulfilled but sometimes it's as simple has thanks we have enough of that subject.
 
Pamela

You are right Tom these are 'returned for edits', thanks the reviewers do give us the opportunity to make changes and frequently offer suggestions that in my experience also, have been quite within reason and in many cases have vastly improved my original design.
 
The reviewers WANT us to have successful designs, that equals more sales for GCU, and more sales keeps them in a job too! They are our allies, not the enemy.
 
Pamela

I still haven't heard back on the issue that became part of this forum almost a week ago now.  Clearly, it's a very hot topic just from the number of responses to it.
 
I would LOVE to hear back with a concise reason besides "confusing", so I can plan future photos of my girl to meet the criteria and avoid delayed approvals, as it profits both parties to speed things up.

Quote from Pamela_135500 on Feb 10^th, 2011, 9:09am:

 
Well said Pamela.
 
I have to say the stock sites are killers but there are not subjective comments as exhibited by responses to original posters examples (which were simply wrong incidentally). It's easy enough after many hours of work to get fired up with "evals and denials" but on stock sites it's "in" or it's "out" generally. Generally I spit out my curse and walk away or try once to fix what they want. Surely, it is not changing main elements within photographs. If they don't like it, they slap the composition or too many of this type label on it with denial.  The key difference there is that I get my response within a day or so while the shiny image may still be worth my time and effort. And generally, without the long wait and frustration heaped on top of it while waiting, usually I can step back and agree with them objectively or on occasion still, chalk it up to idiot review. But no hard festering feelings grew because the denial didn't come with reviewers opinion of my "art" blaring out in their response after weeks of waiting for it.  
 
Tough situation here. If reviewers are peers and use opinionated statements in their returns, then resentment is going to grow and be enhanced with current long waiting period. If staff did the reviews (which would be my ideal)....Good God we'd be waiting longer (no harm intended but methinks there are only a few of you dedicated to the card end of things). But....GCU also tries to maintain the community feel. Heaven knows they let us come in here and vent often enough, biting their tongues many times I'm sure. But if reviewers are in that same community....messy. There are times I think I know who the reviewer is on a particular card. That shouldn't happen.  
 
Just thinking out loud..  I don't know...perhaps a more standardized set of responses would be better without a hint of opinion of a peer slipping in. Stock sites also give a link with what those standard responses could mean and whether they are worthy of additional rework or not. Again...just thinking out loud. Maybe it would speed the system up so us villagers wouldn't grab our torches so quick too.
 
Ernestine, read your messages

As a professional photographer, I would guess that most 'technical issues' that GCU may point out will be on photographs.  When I started out many, many years ago there wasn't an internet, so it was camera clubs and the Photographic Society of America also had traveling portfolios where your work was critiqued by more experienced photographers.
 
Though I think it would be fun to have a place here to critique, again that isn't what GCU is about.  New photographers, or those new to exposing their work to the public should seek out critique sites where they have people who will offer critique in terms a photographer not only understands, but can learn from.
 
When I finished my training in photography and had graduated, I spent years having my work critiqued through many of these venues.  In today's world, it's really easy now because these groups exist online.  In my opinion, it's a critical learning process for a photographer.  I spent 4-years in college studying photography, yet every time I sought a critique, I learned something that school hadn't taught me.
 
Anyone who is a member of Redbubble for example can join many groups which specialize in critique and guidance to make a photo better.  Someone in GCU's position can identify a photograph that doesn't have the 'it' factor, however they are not trained photographers and therefore can not give the technical advice on how to improve or re-shoot that photo, only experienced photographers can do that.  We see things through the eyes of a photographer.
 
For example I see a lot of photographs on Zazzle that were put up because the photographer thought the subject was great, however I can stare at that photograph for several minutes before I can identify what the subject was supposed to be...the toad or bird that is behind or in the middle of a bunch of branches or grass.  
 
Just my thoughts and it's meant to provide a helpful option to anyone wishing to seek critique on their photographs.

Quote from Petra_Katrine_137769 on Feb 10^th, 2011, 11:27am:

 
Hi Petra,
 
I'm more than willing to give you my critique on your photograph.  Do you want that here or a private message?

I thank everyone for the added insight, especially you, KC... my questioning the returns is because I am really striving to do my utmost... if there are things I'm potentially missing, then I want to know about it so I can make a concerted effort to avoid it.  Are my photographs too plain?  I think I know enough of the basics.  Sadly, there are local camera clubs but many are just old folks with nothing better to do - just spending time taking pictures together and perhaps led by a knowledgeable person who isn't going to be able to focus just on me because I'm doing it with more serious intentions.  The flip side is not being able to buy into classes.  I'm currently unemployed and cannot afford to take classes.  Anything I've learned about photography has been on trial and error and the occasional feedback more or less from friends and attempting to learn from a wide variety of websites on the topic.  I did join one online group and all they did was ream me left and right on every submission made - more or less telling me I'd never accomplish anything with a camera - that my work 'sucked' - no feedback beyond that, no suggestions to improve, no nothing nada.  Discouraging - you bet!!!  Did it force me to up my ante?  NO!!!  Why?  Because I couldn't get a straight answer or suggestion on what to do to improve.  So, if the images made me happy, then that was that... to heck with their opinions... and when I expressed my displeasure with the rudeness of the group, I got told off that if I was out there only for fun then I'd never learn anything.  Well, excuse me - but would you learn something if the only comment made was your image/work "sucked" and there was no quantification/explanation made as to why?  I think this is where Petra and myself are very concerned.  We don't want to be wasting our time and GCU's - we do have a goal in mind - to make salable items.  YET, our views on our art might differ from the desires of GCU.  What will comprise a quality salable image (and I'll stick to the photography end of it since both Petra and I take pictures).  I think we both have learned that the basics Tom mentioned are obvious issues/no-brainers - but where do we go from there?
 
Just so everyone knows, I take the reviews seriously as a reflection of the quality of work I'm making.  If my work is simply just being approved or questioned due to unqualified people, then this isn't going to promote salable items.  It will end up being a vicious cycle that goes no where.  
 
I didn't mean to cause an uproar either - I'm desperately trying to learn.  Mindy mentioned returns of cards - I'm serious in wanting to know in seeking information on what I can do as a member here to avoid such issues on my end of things.  I'm not trying to be a snit or thorn in anyone's side.  I might come off harsh as I have before - but it's all with the best of intentions.  I will continue to learn and grow if people can tell me I'm on track - and if my work is too plain/boring/simple, then what can I do to make my work "pop" so that I too can provide a top notch product that will help stand out from the crowd.  
 
I KNOW how important it is to make a customer happy.  I paint horse figures for people - my commissions are done as a partnership between myself and the client.  Ask any of them what a nutcase I am in being certain I am going in the right direction.  Ask them how many times I'll send images of the piece as it progresses to be sure I'm hitting the mark towards the end result of the piece.  There is a piece of me in every creation I make whether it's a photograph, a painted horse figure, or a card for GCU.