The brains been ticking over again and thinking about the WordPress Photo Directory. Especially with the change of the team reps looming. I’ve been thinking mostly about the two points that I made in the last post:
High-quality stock images — Everyone deserves access to exceptional photos for their websites. We need to define what we mean by “high-quality” with clear guidelines and examples.
Utility for websites — Photos should be useful for websites. While there’s a way to take great stock photos of everyday items, an editorial perspective is essential to ensure they meet the quality standards.
So, I thought that I would put together a post that talks about the kind of things that we should consider adding to the Directory guidelines. Some of these ensure that photos that are contributed are, in fact, the best quality to be added to the Directory. Rather, then someone’s personal gallery that they will share with friends and family. At the end of the day, even the guidelines say:
The photo must be a high-quality image. Ideally, your photo is of high-quality composition, lighting, focus, and color. The image should be free of blur (for the primary subject), noise, lens flare, glare, and spots due to water or dirt on the lens.
So what should you as a contributor be looking for when contributing to the Directory and what rules should we as Moderators be swearing by when looking at contributed images.
Again, these are my opinions, but they come out of a place of love to elevate the photo directory and provide everyone with high-quality photos to use on their websites.
Additional guidelines:
1. Think about the user
You should always consider how a user might use your photo. It’s not necessarily the most artistic image that sells best. Some of the most successful stock photos are often those with multiple potential uses. When you aim for versatility and leave space for buyers to add text or graphic elements. Then users are more likely to download your photo. Think about how someone else would use that photo.
2. Allow copy space
Like I have already hinted at, leaving space for text is just about essential. Especially for people that want to use your photos for advertising purposes. Leave a bit of white space, or think about how and where someone could put a banner. Try not to crop your images too tightly, as users may need flexibility in adjusting the layout. If you have a great photo, but there is no wiggle room to adapt, it may get overlooked.
4. Quality over quantity
We should be striving for a directory filled with high-quality images rather than focusing on sheer volume. Nobody requires 50 images of a bowl of rice in a badly lit restaurant. Users also don’t have the kit you have, so let’s give them straight horizons. Each image should meet the highest technical standards to attract users. They should be pinpoint sharp and clear!
5. Focus on technical precision
Ensure your images are technically flawless. This one is a bit of a bug-bear for me. Your photos should be in sharp focus, have minimal noise, and have perfect lighting. Theses are non-negotiable. Taking that extra time with your settings and post-processing ensures acceptance by the moderators.
When I’m taking photos for the directory, I will take so much longer to take the photo then I would if it is just for me and my journal. That extra few seconds could lead to an outstanding photo over a mediocre one.
6. Keep it sharp
Like I have already said, your image must be razor-sharp. When viewed at 100%, the in-focus areas should be crystal clear, offering flexibility for users to add text if needed. You have taken a fantastic photo, but if it’s been taken rushing, then it’s going to be overlooked. Having something in the foreground that takes up 70% of the shot that is blurry while the rest of the shot is in focus should lead to a photo being rejected.
7. Maintain clean compositions
Ensure your photos are tidy and free of distracting elements. A clean image is more likely to be accepted and widely used. This means not only focusing on aesthetics—such as pleasing colours, good lighting, and a clear subject—but also ensuring the concept behind your image is simple and easily understood.
Stock photos are often used to convey a message, so cluttered visuals can detract from their effectiveness. Additionally, be mindful to remove any distracting elements such as brand logos or irrelevant objects that could complicate the image or limit its commercial use.
8. Stay updated with trends
Whether it’s experimenting with different angles, perspectives, or lighting, cameras, we should want to provide users with various options to fit their needs. For instance, capturing both horizontal and vertical orientations or adding unique elements in different frames. Variety makes your work more adaptable and helps it appeal to a broader audience.
9. Curate carefully
Be your own toughest critic. Only submit your best work after a thorough review, and continuously refine your selection process. Being critical of your own work is essential in stock photography. Even after narrowing down your best shots, go through another round of edits to ensure you are submitting only top-quality images. Users will expect perfection from stock photos, so avoid submitting anything that feels subpar or rushed.
10. Emphasise authenticity
The stock photography market is slowly moving away from staged, artificial-looking images and towards more authentic, relatable content. Capturing genuine moments and emotions, rather than forced or overly staged scenes, can help you stand out.
Whether it’s lifestyle shots, workplace settings, or portraits, make sure your photos tell a believable story. Authenticity is about capturing life as it is, so let your subjects and scenarios feel natural. The more relatable your images are, the better they will connect with viewers and potential buyers.
11. Embrace conceptual imagery
Stock images that convey universal concepts are more successful. Focus on ideas and emotions rather than literal representations. The goal is to create an image that can be used in various contexts and interpreted in multiple ways. Users want to communicate ideas like happiness, success, or tradition, so your photos should encapsulate those concepts rather than a specific object or scene. Conceptual images have more flexibility and can be applied to a range of industries and purposes.
12. Stand out
In a saturated space, uniqueness matters. Whether through composition, colour, or concept, make your work distinctive to catch the eye of potential users. Uniqueness can also be subtle—perhaps it’s the lighting or the storytelling behind the image that sets it apart. Don’t be afraid to inject your style and creativity into your work. Every so often, it’s the unexpected elements in an image that make it a favourite with buyers.
Phew, I know that was a lot, but like I said, this comes from a place of wanting to make the directory the best it can possibly be. And yes, that would also mean giving the Moderators more training so that there is a consistent moderation process.
As the WordPress Photo Directory continues to grow, it’s clear that the emphasis on quality, purpose, and community-driven contributions is something that we should be aiming for. I think by elevating the value of authentic, high-quality visuals and making them accessible to all, is the goal.
P.S Yes, the Moderators should be held to the same standard that we should expect from contributors.
