Thank you. I appreciate the comments and I intend to learn from them.

None of the photos are actually cropped, but that doesn't change the validity of your comments. If they appear to be cropped, they should have been shot from a farther distance as far as I'm concerned.

I think re: the mouse photo that I was trying to go through images I'd taken that were taken at ISO100 and not totally, completely worthless for retail. Guess I got a little desperate in the process, plus I admit I need to learn what does sell and what does not.

About animal images in general - what type do sell? I could imagine shots such as this: http://stirredreality.com/stock/1.jpg (I know - poor lighting, obstructed background, focus is off by 5 mm and there's dust in the foreground) are overrepresented because they're so easy to take and almost always turn out cute regardless of animal. Do more exotic animals help? For instance, I have taken plenty of close-up shots of snow leopard kittens and peregrines (all at too bad ISO but otherwise fine). Do you have any general ideas here? I've looked through what sells on the sites but I honestly can't seem to find a consistent theme to it.

Hi,

I'm considering trying to enter the microstock business for fun, as a side thing, and as a way to develop my skills. I am definitely not at an professional level, but I learn, and I intend to challenge myself to improve and to finally sell some images.

My main problem as I see it is that I'm specialised in pet photography, mainly cats and dogs. I've been reading articles and browsing agency collections, and they all say that pet photography is a surefire way to get rejected. Does this hold true 100 %, or can a very good pet photographer get in? Not saying I am one, but I would be willing to work towards it. I have limited experience at other fields, althoug that would also be good to work at.

Any comments on the below images would be greatly appreciated. These have been minimally processed (just wb and contrast tempered with) and are all at ISO 100.

http://stirredreality.com/stock/6.jpg (please ignore the blemish; I'm interested in what would make this work colour-, composition- and subjectwise)
http://stirredreality.com/stock/3.jpg
http://stirredreality.com/stock/5.jpg (too snapshoty?)
http://stirredreality.com/stock/4.jpg (does this contain fringes? I'm not good enough to tell)
http://stirredreality.com/stock/2.jpg (is this subject matter at all commercial?)

Thank you!