A photo buyer calls for a picture of pigs. It could be about 
anything. A hundred responses go online and one lucky so-and-so 
gets the sale. That's 99 pictures deemed to be second, and 
that's no good in any race.
 
So, what is it about that winning picture that produced a sale? 
It may good lighting, it may be striking content... but hey, all 
the pictures submitted were about the same topic, so eliminate 
that one. Let's face it, there could be a million reasons for 
the selection of that winner, but there isn't!!
 
The winning shot is unusual. It's different from the rest. It's 
got something the others just don't have. It's got oomph. It's 
got pizzazz. Call it what you will' it's got that winning streak 
that just knocks spots of the competition. It has? Well what the 
heck is it? Tell me, and we'll bottle it.
 
It might be stunning exposure. Well it might. That certainly 
helps. In fact, exposure IS a factor, it must be spot on. 
However, that's not the killer factor. Picture researchers, 
editors and publishers don't set out to look for stunning 
exposures. No. That's not it. There is something else, an 
elusive factor that underpins  every sellable photo. It's not 
something you can find by playing blind man's bluff either. If 
you want to sell photos You have to recognize it, pursue it, 
capture it, master it  and make it work for you.
 
It there for all to see in practically every photo that sells  
and yet most people and even many photographers just don't see 
it. How can something so obvious be invisible to a creative eye? 
It's a mystery. I don't understand it. When I look at the range 
of submissions for any photo request, my heart sinks. Most 
photos betray a complete absence of  this elusive essential 
quality. They are duff!
 
Shots taken so far away from the subject that life-size objects 
are mere pimples. Boring views that have 5% coverage of the 
intended and desired theme. Constant repetition of the same 
unimaginative angle. Yes, you've guessed it. I'm talking about 
composition.
 
If you want to sell photos, for pity's sake THINK about what 
you shoot. The first angle of view MAY be the best one, but I 
doubt it. The old gunfighter adage ..no matter how fast your 
are...seems to apply to photography also. 

Stalk around your intended subject, look at it from all angles, 
make mental photos before committing one to film or digital 
memory, as the case may be. Don't TAKE pictures MAKE them.  Fill 
the screen with powerful compelling artwork. Look for interesting 
shapes, textures, colours in the most fascinating combination 
possible, given the lighting conditions and your time 
constraints.
 
How you compose your photo says everything about you, so train 
your eye and mind to maximise your artistic ability. When you 
shoot in pursuit of beauty, you fulfil yourself. When called 
upon to make pictures of mundane everyday scenes, you will bring 
a eagle eye to scour the most pleasing elements of vision and 
combine them in a most powerful way. You will always be an 
unpredictable photographer who can capture unusual shots.
 
Shed the snakeskin of normality and kick out the usual suspects 
in favour of the racy, the dangerous, the exciting and discover 
how to enjoy your using your camera, finding the unusual angles 
and great whacking compositions that draw photo-buyers to you 
like flies to a honey pot. 

You just can't achieve that by shooting the same stuff as the 
average Joe. Be a special Joe! Be successful and you'll sell 
your photos with ease.