Thank you for the warm welcome
Now I'm just wondering how I can collect merit so that I can also upload pictures
You don't need Jr. Member rank to upload images now. Since you have already purchased Cooper Member, this allows you, among other things, to post images. See here:
Copper: Allows you to post images even if you are a newbie, reduces the time-between-actions limit, and provides some of the same benefits as being of natural Member rank.