John, I get less responses than you, and probably less "respect", but have a couple FP. I sometimes wonder why a photo was chosen, but it's not my place to say anything about it. FPs in N/W and sports would be great, even if it weren't tied into the archive.

If you base your success on results of a website, you are fooling yourself. The best way to know how you're doing is to get out and show your work, join a camera club, and network with other photographers that are willing to help you improve. If I based my success off this site, I would have stopped long ago. However, when I show locally it's like walking on air, I always feel inspired by the positive comments.

When you sell a print and someone asks you to autograph it, you'll know exactly what I mean. So, stop being so gloomy, and get busy. Show, and if it isn't taken well, refine and show again. Be the "featured" one in your town, community, whatever, and you will learn and grow much faster.

Some of the most successful photographers are just really good Public Relations people, with cameras.