Thanks guys!!!

Good idea Lisafx! You have given me new inspiration! I have some photos of the landscape around here! I should shoot around locally more!!!

And ap, I live in the opposite end of Japan where you were! I live on the southern island, KYUSHU!!! Known for it's warmth, but still very cold right now, (because it's the middle of winter!

Hello again!

I tried to improve from my last critique and picked up a white plate etc etc. I am trying to like suggested to get a nice "white airy" look. I set the aperture to 1/100 to achieve this... but I think it's making the end part of the vegetables look blurry! The middle looks clear... but the sides seem to lose focus.

Any ideas of what to do? I really just want to get some of my food photos to be clear and have that "white airy" look.  Any help or other critiques would be greatly appreciated.

Oh and I tried uploading the original picture. But it won't let me, so am uploading a smaller version of it. Sorry about that, I know that was a comment last time.

Ok, thanks for the advice!

I posted a photo critique... if your curious:

http://www.microstockgroup.com/photo-critique/please-critique-my-photo!-would-istock-accept-me-%29/

Wow, I put this post up and called it a night, and then I wake up to all these responses! What a nice surprise! Thanks!

I appreciate everyone's advice. Even though I feel slightly more confused. 

I read my post before and I realize it might have given the impression I'm doing this for money. If I don't make a cent on my photos during this little adventure, that's ok with me. The thought of complete strangers looking at and buying my photos sounds thrilling, so I want to try it.

I also want to learn and grow as a photographer, and take even better pictures. This method seems like a good way to do it, since it really seems flexible time wise.

A couple days ago, I signed up with istock (before discovering this site). I uploaded the three photos... but then I read on the site the review process takes a long time. How long should I expect to wait? A week? A month? And I didn't realize but maybe I was supposed to put a  model release form included with my images? Since it's a test, I thought it wouldn't be necessary? Hmm...

Maybe I'll try and just wait for istock. It seems they give the best feedback (?). And that's what I really want.

And putting up a picture to be reviewed by you guys sounds like a great idea!!!! Maybe I'll try that.

LOL! I love it!