Any stock agency that is in business to stay in business will set very high standards. We all love our own images, but that does not mean that others will as well.

Most amateur photographers have an unrealistic opinion of their own work. Anyone who says "I know I know what I am doing" is delusionary. When we enter the marketplace, we will be judged by standards other than our own. If you can't stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen. Professional photo buyers do not have the time or inclination to wade through piles of snapshots in hope of finding a prize image.

So, I says to myself, I might as well offer my photos to a stock agency. Maybe I can make some money in my old retired age.

So, I first apply to iStock. Got accepted and have about 350 photos that can be selected. Of course, they have about 50 zillion in their achieves, so the odds of mine getting selected or even seen are slim and somewhat none. One thing I will say about iStock, is their acceptance requirements on photos is not too rigid.

Now, take my most recent experience with Shutterstock. They




are so RIGID AND UNBENDING that of the 45 photos I submitted, 35 were rejected. Now, mind you, these were the same photos that iStock accepted. Here are some of their reasons for rejection from Shutterstock: poor lighting, out of focus, noise, faulty white balance, too much sharpening, too soft, poorly rasterized, blurry image at full resolution, and on and on and on. . .It made me feel like I was a beginning photographer and wouldn't know poop from putty about what was a quality image.

I know I know what I'm doing. I compared my images to the ones they have already accepted and found mine are far superior than half the ones I viewed.

I really don't need to have my photo experience ego whipped, so, I had them cancel my account and delete all my images. I'm sure they were crying crocodile tears at loosing me. I just barely resisted sending them a nasty email and giving them a piece of my mind (a small piece).

So, summing this up. If you want to have your ego beat to death, sign up with Shutterstock. If you still think you want to have someone sell your photos for a bundle and give you a penny on the dollar, then go to iStock.

Ok, my rants over. By tomorrow morning I should be just fine. I'll take that drink, now.

I like the new format. It forces me to get the camera out of the closet and think creatively.

The last few contests are listed below.

I don't see any subject matter there that could not be done anywhere with a little imagination.

I haven't had a photo I thought was good enough to enter every week; but that won't keep me from shooting.

I always look at the contest photos but I don't always vote.

• WPC 1533 - Green* -- 4 user(s), 4 pic(s)
• WPC 1532 - Waterscapes* -- 86 user(s), 86 pic(s)
• WPC 1531 - Moonlit Landscape* -- 34 user(s), 34 pic(s) -- (ratings)
• WPC 1530 - The Street* -- 63 user(s), 63 pic(s) -- (ratings)
• WPC 1529 - Wood* -- 78 user(s), 78 pic(s) -- (ratings)
• WPC 1528 - J* -- 62 user(s), 62 pic(s) -- (ratings)
• WPC 1527 - Revolutionary -- 56 user(s), 56 pic(s) -- (ratings)
• WPC 1526 - 100 Steps* -- 62 user(s), 62 pic(s) -- (ratings)
• WPC 1525 - What's In Your Kitchen -- 80 user(s), 80 pic(s) -- (ratings)
• WPC 1524 - Refracted Light -- 71 user(s), 71 pic(s) -- (ratings)