This is such a lovely photo. Thank you for sharing!

I never know what's going to be popular. I've tried to provide a variety of photos lately, but I just don't know if it's enough to garner interest. People are hard to figure out. I know it's not art, and making a living from photography is difficult. Someday though, I really hope.

Tastes are different, that is true, but don't make the mistake of believing photography to not be art. It is. Much like music, many things go into a great photo: Lighting, scenery, perspective, and others. All these things need to be composed - much like a song - in order to create something breathtaking.
And deliberate or not, I have seen you use lighting quite well already - for example to highlight fur patterns on your previous bear photos.

People all have smartphones, and with the AI processing in them, they often come up with pretty startling results for the optics they have. This is great for web sharing, which is what most people do. It often doesn't hold up to scrutiny if zoomed in on or printed, but few people actually do that. Somehow, even the most advanced DSLR and mirrorless options have rather terrible JPEG processing engines by comparison, with limited AI. For instance, if they had something close to what Google uses on its Pixel phones, shooting RAW might not even be necessary for most photographers. Of course, we still would do it. But it'd be nice for quick/easy sharing of some content.

I'm just outlining this because it seems like people have less and less use for professional photographers. It's so competitive, and I've had only a few photos published or sold in recent years. I couldn't make a living doing it. I wish I could. It's a labor of love more than anything. I'd share more writing, but I think I got disillusioned with that years ago, afraid I'd never get published in the furry community because I don't write what sells there in.

I thank you for always commenting with such positive words and complimenting me. It keeps me motivated to share more. You're also the reason I tried to get more of a variety of photos this last visit to the zoo. The lighting was good for the bear, but otherwise awful that day, making it very difficult to get good shots of other critters. I have hundreds of photos, and only a pawful worth sharing. I'll keep shuffling through them though, until I've saturated FA with too many animal photos!

There is no such thing as too many animal photos. Just as there is no such thing as too many books. In fact your remark made me curious about your writing.

That aside, you are most welcome for my input. I'm glad you are hearing me out. Not many people do these days - particularly not when it comes to pointing out issues or discussing different opinions.
I for one am looking forward which other animals you are going to post photos of.

If I could spend my life taking photos of animals and writing stories with them, I'd be happy. I don't want a lot. Just to survive by doing something I enjoy. I've spent so many years doing whatever it took to pay the bills, but it wears on you.

My writing is interspersed here between photo posts, but it's very, very old.

All you did was suggest I take more of a variety of photos. I usually do, but they often don't turn out. Since my camera is just okay for most photography, prosumer as they go, and not good with fast motion, animals really pose a challenge. I want to upgrade, but there is that money thing again. Camera gear is incredibly expensive. Mine was expensive enough when it was new. Anyway, I often take more photos of felines than other animals, thus the number that turn out well enough to post are also greater. I've tried to diversify this focus a little. It's too bad the lighting wasn't better the day I was at the zoo. I don't get to go often. It'd been two years since I'd last been. Thanks again for the kind words. Your encouragement is appreciated.

You are most welcome.