I can't believe the reviewers are declining my own photos I take. You won't see anymore new cards from me on here. I am consentrating on my other site Zazzle. I get more sales on there then here. They don't pick my work to death either. Some people must like my work on there. I have the same stuff on there that I get declined on here. People have been buying it too. Happy Sales to everyone!!!!

have they given you reasons for the declines?  I don't understand what is happening - I'm hearing more and more complaints.

Donna yes they comment. But alot of the time it is their own prefence.
 
 
Quote from Donna_137698 on Oct 1^st, 2011, 7:57am:

I had three cards recently declined like this one (link below) that was already approved a few months ago. Two similar cards were also approved a few months ago, one of which was purchased by a relative. Everyone who saw it thought it looked great. (Of course, they might be biased...)  When printed, it's very dramatic with its silver, bronze and black tones.  I can understand the comment about the cropping, although you don't have to have the entire drum kit in the design.  
 
Also, this is NOT a photo (see review notes below). It's a graphic design intended to be stark and dramatic and not cutesy for drummers.  I was inspired by a nephew who plays the drums.   I've paid close attention to the cards that young people I know have bought, and they are quirky and funny, many of which would not be considered polished, even some cards from Hallmark.  I need to mine that quirky vein of humor, but it's hard to find it.  
 
I understand and appreciate the review board's criticism, however. I will at some point re-make this card, based on some of the criticism from the review board.  Would I change the angle and cropping in a future drum kit card -- probably.  Would I change the stark quality of the design...No. I like it! It printed very nicely, too.
    
 
http://www.greetingcarduniverse.com/shopping/zoom.asp?pid=792547&w=1&ref =details_large_view
 
"Based on our review process your card has been: Declined for the following reason(s):  
 
Please Note: Thank you for submitting this artwork to GCU however we're sorry that your submission has not met our Marketability Standards and has been declined due to the following reason: the photo has many elements giving it a snapshot appeal that lacks in professional polish like the cropping, lighting, background and filter. It is very difficult to capture a studio quality image without controlled elements like background and light. Thank you for your understanding."

Thanks for your input, Doreen.  I liked how the card looked when I saw it in person, but I agree that some of the background elements should have been removed.  I liked that it was a more elemental drum kit. What I would change in a new version would be to remove most of the background elements and change the cropping and angle of the shot. I liked the posterization feel, maybe it's the junior version of band flyers.  

Thanks, Doreen. I see a lot of band flyers with a rough, raw look. As I noted in my first post in this thread, I've been interested in what cards the young people I know buy, and I've been surprised to see how primitive the designs are.  It's hard to achieve the right raw look, which may just be a super advanced ultra polished look. Anyway, I'm still trying to crack the cool code. In a future drum kit card, I would probably still use the same method, but change the composition and add some other elements to the design.  Anyway, the recipient of my card liked it! He's ten...He thought it was cool.  

I'm afraid cool will always be right over the horizon for me, out of my reach!