MicrostockGroup

This one was rejected at StockXpert for poor lighting.  Do you agree?  I didn't use a very strong lighting as I thoght a cozier, homely look would be more appropriate.



Regards,
Adelaide

I think I would agree with professorgb as well.

I would also sudjest moving the light a little farther away from the subject.  The light is too bright on the bottom left of the plate and burns out any detail, while the top right of the image is left in shadow.  Even though you probably did not light this with your on camera flash, it has the same look.   You could also try hanging a thin sheet of some sort infront of your light source to difuse the light a bit.

Look at your camera's settings to determine if you're using sRGB or aRGB.  If you're using aRGB, programs that aren't color aware, like most browsers, will display the image with muted colors and look washed out.

As to the lighting, I recommend that you not make the lighting more even, but less even.  Even lighting will make this image even flatter.  What you might consider instead of a gradient filter is take the current file and increase its contrast and saturate the colors.  This will add depth and warmth to the image.  I've done this--adjusted levels, contrast, and saturation, and while it's a bit dark (I was working with your thumbnail), I think it's somewhat improved.  Nonetheless, you might want to re-shoot with a bit better lighting.

I am not familiar with your camera model.  I think that the chances are very good you are shooting in sRGB--most point and shoots are set to that color space.

Indeed, now I see it's sRGB.  However I'm still clueless about the meaning of this. 

In the edited images, I don't see thsi information.  Is it kept through edition, unless you call a specific command to change it?

The new version was approved, however it's hard to say if the same inspector would give the same verdict!  I will try to use more contrast in other images, though I'm very careful not to add artifacts in them.  Thanks, professorgb!

Regards,
Adelaide