Your last sentence spoke the truth - if you get no donations an no one signs up for your API, the one year point (when it comes time to spend more money) is when these sites usually drop.
These image scripts are easy to set up - even I did one lol... but you need to offer a new service, not just competition.
I don't plan to compete with anyone, I initially created this solely for myself because I use it frequently. While I don't currently generate any revenue from ImgPeek, it's entirely funded by my own money, and I plan to see it grow over the next 3 years.
Why did you add the word "totally" when it is not? If I want to use the API, it's not free.
I mention "totally free" because I'm on the Bitcointalk forum, which is generally for regular user and not aimed at developer.