Great! Thanks Jan and Sue. Thats one question down. :-)

Erich>

I have looked around the forum and couldn't find a sutible topic. So here it is.

When I look into SS, DT, Fotolia, etc, at the images, I see the companies watermark in  the  image. I understand why this. When a photographer uploads his stock  photos, should they keep out their own watermark?

When I upload to social sites such as FB and Flickr, I add a watermark to the image. I do that for a reason.

So what is the etiquette here? What should I  keep in mind when uploading photos to Stock companies?

Thanks, Erich

Thank you so much, Joy and Curvabezier. I mentioned CanStockPhotos only because that came up when I was looking for Stock reviews and this forum came up.

Yes, I have been looking at Shutterstock and would like to give them a try. I went on their site to look at the galleries. I like what they have. I appreciate your feed back. It is very helpful..

Thank you again,

Erich

"I have thousands of shots on the computer and flashdrives. I am curious where I can take them. And what I can do with them"

Common advice is to throw away everything on your harddrive, at least as far as stock goes.  Especially if they were done on a P&S.  You can post some for critique to see if they stand up to current standards.  There may be some that make good prints, but that's a different market.

Customers want images they can use to tell a story or get a message across.

Ok, I hear you, but why would they not beable to say something with what was shot on a P&S? I have seen many photos taken on a P&S that blows away ones taken with an SLR. I think that is generalizing. I will look for a few and post them to see what others think. I have opened a Flickr account and posted some there as well, although I am not trusting of that site so I only put those that I feel dosn't have much to go for it.

Even on the 160, I use all manual and priority settings. I have full control of shutter speed and aperture settings, along with F/stop and ISO control. I can do pretty much everything with it that I can with the DSLR except change lenses out. And albeit, it weighs a whole lot less after carrying 45 pounds of gear on your back all day. Those few less ounces pays off.

My girl friends Ex designs camera and telescope lenses. He saw a picture I took of her with my other SX150. He told me with all the gear he has, he never would have been able to get that shot. It was the compostion. I feel that is the big factor in  what makes or breaks a photo. Not the equipment. You can have the best equipment in the world, but  if you do not have compostion, your lacking.

Anyway, I would like to give this  a go, and with the pictures I have now. But of course, not all of them. Im choosy..

To answer Seans question, well, as I have stated, I have been doing photography for years, just not with a DSLR. I know there are a lot of photos taken with powershots and sold on the internet. I even have some books by professional photographers who, like me, uses them for backpacking because of the light weight. The DSLR just widens my horizon for me. I understand the F/stops, Depth of Fields, ect, ect. I am at the moment treading and testing water. What is the ideal niche? What are these companies and the consumers looking for?

I play with GIMP alot and use my photos to make possible "book covers" and  CD covers and art work. I am wanting to see where it could lead me. My hiking  and backpacking trips put me into positions and places that can give very serene photos. But of course, I do know  there are many many other photographers outthere doing the same as well. I am wanting to jump into the water and see how I can tread with the fishes sort of speak.

My first photo I ever sold, EVER, was an accidental shot of the moon back in 1992 when I was in college. It is still hanging in  there to day. I am proud of that piece.

I have been shooting for several years now and always try and pay attention on composition. I go for mood. If that means anything. I have thousands of shots on the computer and flashdrives. I am curious where I can take them. And what I can do with them
 
I know it is a big ocean out there with many big fish, but I want to try anyway. I can see the DSLR giving me an edge that the powershot cannot. Only time will tell.

I hoped I answered the question. As for certain niche, I am looking. I know my passions, but what is really taking off out there right now? What are consumers focusing on? (no puns intended). Im new and I would like to give this a go.

Erich

Ok, I am going to ask my first newb question here. I hope this is the right forum to place it in.

I am looking for a good microstock company to get started in. What would you recommend and why? I found this forum while reading through reviews of Canstockphotos. It seems that they have a good following considering their slow payouts. What company would you suggest to a newb and why?

Erich

Just wanted to add here that I am not new to Photography as it seems my post may assume that. I started using a Pentak K-1000 way  back in 1991 and had a very large assortment of lenses and accessories. I used these for Astro-photograpy along with wildlife photography and a few weddings and banquets. My equipment was stolen and I never replaced it except for pocket cameras I bought for my hiking trips. I am happy to be back in photography and looking forward to sharing my shots with the world. And I have amounted quite a large file in the last few years with the Powershot..

Erich