What Make a Great Photograph?

I have always considered myself a pretty good photographer.  I have a closet full of photo albums dating back to the day of my marriage.  My camera bag accompanies me more than my purse does.  With that in mind, why not sell some of my beautiful landscapes on line?

I researched some of the online sites that let you upload photos to sell, and applied with one. The application alone was harder than I expected, and included a written test, and the submission of samples of my work.

After I passed the written test, I thought I was home free. All that was left was to submit a few of my many photos.  WRONG... How could that be?  My photos didn't pass the test.  I'm not out though, I just will not be accepted until I submit some better photographs.

1. Quality:  To sell a photo, the quality must be highest possible.  It must be totally in focus, and not blurred by unsteady hands holding the camera.  The lighting has to be right, with no harsh shadows or reflections.   It is better not to use a flash, when possible.  The picture also has to be the greatest image size your camera can take, usually 1200 x 1600 pixels or greater.
2. Composition:  This is where I was surprised not to do as well as I thought I would. Composition is how you stage your photo, and where each element sits in your picture. Our camera's viewfinder helps us to center our subject, but centering is not considered the best composition.  Usually it is better to have your subject off center,  and your landscape either two-thirds sky, or two-thirds land.  There is much more to this than I can tell you here.  Many good books are available.
3. Subject:  Look at magazine pictures with a photographers eye.  You can take pictures of cake, coffee pots, fence posts, or kids.  What you take a picture of must be interesting though, and tell some sort of story.  

I am still trying to improve my photography skills, and also still trying to submit some of my best online.  I feel I am getting better, with what I have recently been studying.

Remember it is also very important, if you do consider trying to submit photos online, to read all the legal requirements.  Many photo subjects require release forms to be signed.