Reasons why we reject some resources

Discover the essential criteria and conditions that explain why certain resources cannot be approved in Cathopic.

Reasons why we reject some resources
Photo by Dim Hou / Unsplash

Our Catholic community strongly values and upholds the principles that define the Catholic Faith. Our mission is to create a platform where everyone can connect and share content that resonates with these beliefs. This article is here to shed some light on the reasons why some content might not make it to our platform. We will explain here the different factors our moderators consider before making decisions.

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We would like to remind you that our moderators are true experts in the world of photography. If at any time one of your resources is not approved, please be assured that this is exclusively due to technical reasons and has nothing to do with a personal evaluation of your work.

We appreciate your understanding and support of our mission and thank you for being part of our community!

The content does not comply with the Catholic Faith principles

We are committed to ensuring that all content shared on our platform is aligned with the Magisterium of the Catholic Church. Some reasons content may not meet this standard include:

  1. Offensive or blasphemous content. Refers to any material that presents objects, messages or other items that in a way can be disrespectful or insulting to our Faith, religious figures, sacraments or Catholic traditions.
  2. Immoral or inappropriate content. Refers to images or graphic resources that promote values in opposition to Catholic morals, such as the promotion of violence, pornography, discrimination, lack of charity, lack of respect for human dignity or the natural family.
  3. Symbology contrary to the Catholic Faith. Refers to graphic elements that include symbols or iconography that contradict Catholic teachings and practices, such as the use of satanic symbols or symbols of other religions that conflict with the Catholic Faith.
  4. Doctrinal falsehood. This is content that spreads teachings or statements that are inconsistent with or contrary to Catholic Doctrine, such as heresies or serious distortions of the Faith.
  5. Objects or buildings of other religions. Refers to material elements or architectural constructions that are related to religious practices and beliefs other than the Catholic Faith. These objects may include icons, images, statues, amulets or other items considered sacred in other religions.

Visible watermark or date

Sometimes, when an image has a visible watermark (a logo or text superimposed on the image) or a prominent date, it can detract from the overall aesthetic and may interfere with the intended use of the resource by those who download it.

We encourage you to submit content without these distractions to ensure a seamless and enjoyable experience for our community.

The file did not upload correctly, unable to preview

We understand that technical glitches can happen to the best of us! If you've encountered this, it simply means that your file didn't upload correctly, making it impossible for us to preview.

Not to worry, though! We invite you to give it another shot and re-upload your resources. Technical issues won't stand in the way of sharing your content with our community.

Resource is repeated or similar to an existing one

We're thrilled about your creative contributions! However, it seems like you've shared resources that closely resemble each other. To keep our platform dynamic and engaging, we encourage you to explore a wider range of ideas and themes. By submitting content with unique perspectives, you can enrich our community's experience.

If you have any questions or need guidance, don't hesitate to reach out. Let's work together to bring a kaleidoscope of content to Cathopic!

Does not meet Cathopic PRO quality requirements

It appears that the resources you've submitted may not meet the quality standards required for Cathopic PRO, our Premium plan. We want to provide our community with the best possible content, so we encourage you to refine your work to meet the highest quality expectations.

Low quality image

The overall image quality is at a fairly low level. It is important to note that our team performs a maximum magnification of each image to verify pixel accuracy and ensure that no distortions occur.

We recommend that you avoid posting images taken with an older smartphone. Although these devices may give the impression of creating high quality photographs, in many cases what they do is add distorted pixels for a visually appealing effect, but this does not make them suitable for professional purposes.

Overexposure, too much light in the image

An overexposed photograph is one in which the amount of light that has entered the camera during shooting is greater than necessary, resulting in an image that appears too bright or washed out. When an image is overexposed, details in the lighter areas of the image tend to be lost and may appear burned out or completely white, which reduces the overall quality of the photograph.

Underexposed, lack of light in the image

An underexposed photograph is one in which the amount of light that has entered the camera during shooting is insufficient, resulting in an image that appears too dark. When an image is underexposed, details in the darker areas of the image tend to be lost and may appear black or completely lacking in detail, which decreases the overall quality of the photograph.

Too much visual distortion, high ISO

An over ISO photograph refers to an image captured with an ISO sensitivity (also known as ISO speed) set too high. ISO sensitivity determines the amount of light that the camera "reads" from the environment, and when set to a high value, the camera becomes more sensitive to light, allowing photographs to be taken in low light conditions. However, using a very high ISO value can have undesirable side effects on image quality, such as: noise, loss of detail, and reduced overall quality.

Unnecessary objects in the picture

Avoid elements that "contaminate" the image, such as electrical wires, poles, trash or diverse elements that break with the desired aesthetics.

In professional photography, there are several items that should generally be avoided or carefully controlled to maintain the quality and aesthetics of the image. These items can distract attention from the main subject or ruin the composition of the photograph. Some of those that generally should not be present in a professional photograph include unwanted lights and reflections or flashes of light from windows or shiny surfaces. They can be distracting and should be minimized or eliminated as much as possible.

The camera has a dirty lens or sensor

Spots on a camera sensor, commonly known as "sensor spots," are visible defects in photographs that occur due to the presence of dust particles, dirt, or other contaminants on the surface of the camera's image sensor. These spots can manifest themselves as dark spots or blurred areas in images and can be very annoying and visible, especially in areas of the image that are uniformly colored or in clear skies.

Excessive filters

  1. Strong vignette filters. Vignette filters darken the corners of the image and can be used to focus attention on the center. However, if applied excessively, they can make the image look artificial and unbalanced.
  2. Excessive effect filters. Some filters, such as those that mimic retro, vintage or film styles, can be effective when applied sparingly. However, if used excessively, they can make the image look forced and stray from the original aesthetic.

Blurred image, no sharp focus point

Photographs that are blurred, out-of-focus, or lacking sharpness can present a significant challenge to viewers, as they may struggle to discern and appreciate the visual elements within the image. In such instances, there is an absence of objects or subjects that exhibit proper focus, resulting in a distortion of visual clarity and making it challenging for viewers to connect with or interpret the content effectively.

Horizon dropped (tilted image)

Keeping the horizon level is crucial to create well-composed and balanced images. A straight horizon line provides stability and helps viewers connect with the scene. However, if you're seeking a distinct artistic impact, tilting the horizon purposefully can introduce dynamism and tension into your composition.

This technique proves particularly useful when you want to convey unease, energy, or a departure from the ordinary in your photos. Experimenting with horizon angles can yield captivating and thought-provoking results, but it's critical to do so intentionally because a skewed horizon can also disrupt the image's harmony.

Low resolution video

Videos in low resolutions, such as SD (Standard Definition) or those below 1920p, are generally seen as lower in quality when compared to modern high-definition standards. Therefore, sending videos in these formats may result in rejection on the platform.

We kindly request that you upload your video in a higher resolution, with 4K being the recommended standard for optimal quality.

Video with audio

We are unable to accept your video as it contains sound, while our platform only supports videos without sound. Please re-upload your video without audio to ensure compliance with our guidelines. Thank you for your understanding.

Video with wrong orientation

When videos recorded in portrait mode are shared on the platform in a horizontal format, it often results in cropping issues and black bars, diminishing the viewer's experience.

Unfortunately, the platform lacks the necessary support to seamlessly adapt these videos, impacting their visual appeal and message delivery. To ensure a better viewing experience, the Cathopic creators should record videos in landscape mode from the start, aligning with the platform's standard format and enhancing accessibility for a wider audience.

Excessive or abrupt camera movement (without stabilizer)

Unsteady or shaky videos, caused by inadequate support or a lack of stabilization techniques, can pose significant challenges for viewers. Such footage often results in discomfort and frustration as it hinders the ability to fully engage with the content. The shaky visuals can be particularly detrimental when capturing important moments or conveying essential information, as they detract from the overall viewing experience and may even lead to disinterest.

To address this issue, the Cathopic creators should prioritize the use of stable equipment, such as tripods or gimbals, to minimize unwanted camera movements. Additionally, learning and applying proper stabilization techniques, like smooth panning and using image stabilization features, can significantly improve the quality and professionalism of the video. By taking these measures, creators can enhance viewer satisfaction and convey their message effectively.

Overexposure, excess of light in the video

An overexposed video occurs when excessive light enters the camera during filming, causing the footage to look excessively bright or washed out. In such cases, details in the brighter regions of the video can be lost, appearing overexposed or entirely white, which adversely affects the video's quality.

Underexposure, lack of light in the video

An underexposed video is the result of insufficient light entering the camera during filming, causing the footage to appear overly dark. In such cases, details in the darker regions of the video can be lost, appearing underexposed or completely lacking in detail, negatively impacting the overall video quality.

Blurred video, without a defined focus point

Blurred, out-of-focus, or lacking sharpness in videos can significantly hinder visibility and overall viewing experience. When a video exhibits these issues, it means that there are no objects or elements within the frame that appear correctly focused, resulting in a distortion of visual clarity.

Horizon dropped (video with tilt)

Maintaining a level horizon is a fundamental principle for creating smooth and visually pleasing videos. A steady horizon line helps anchor the viewer and ensures that the footage doesn't feel disorienting or distracting.

Graphic in non-editable format

The reason for rejecting this graphic is due to its presentation in a non-editable JPG format or a non-vector format. To enhance user experience, we encourage providing graphics with layers or, at the very least, in a vectorial format. This allows users to enlarge the graphic as desired without compromising quality.


It is important for us to be able to show excellence in every aspect of our initiative and platform. That is why we must be rigorous when approving the resources that will later be used by our users.

We hope this article has been helpful for a better understanding and comprehension of why we have these quality standards.

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