You guys really have to learn how to comment on an image. There seems to be mostly an "Excellent"-trend here at renderosity. Only a few have the courage to say where an image can be improved, especially the higher rated images. I think most of you are either cowards or have no clue what can be improved. I'll give you tip. Look at some posts at photographyreview and read how to make friendly comments that can improve the work of others; http://forums.photographyreview.com/forumdisplay.php?f=30

Sorry you feel that way but I leave a short comment to let the user know I took time enough to look at their image. I... and I am sure maybe others don't have time for spending a lot of time commenting on a particular image. I for one am no good at making judgement on others work because mine has a lot to be desired. I am not expert on art. I know what looks good to my eye and may not to another. A coward noooooooo. Have no clue what to look for. Maybe yes. :o(

I think that's a rash generalisation. I've found from my own experience people viewing images in this gallery - the Vue Gallery, actually give good critque. I've had a number of comments on some of my Vue images with direct reference to an element of an image. The poser gallery is another matter, however there are gems there also - recently I had comments on an image I did that really meant alot - the comments actually had depth to them. Sometimes a short comment is enough. It lets the artist know you dropped by and liked what you saw - nothing wrong with that. There's a solution to this point though. Disable the comment feature when you post your image.

Nevermore I made a rash generalisation? I hardly doubt that. I'll give you an example. I went through your latest images in your gallery that had comments (nice works btw). Did you know that it took me about 20 comments in 5 images, before I read something that is more than just an 'excellent', 'well done' or 'nice' comment? The first comment that I considered an advice was "i wish the wings were a little softer". Either there was no need for advice/tips when 20 people commented on your images or I was right when I wrote that people either don't have the courage of experience. Its up to others to decide for one or the other.

Yes, you made a rash generalisation. Not every comment on every image is just a "well done". Regardless of that - what's wrong with saying well done to someone? I'm careful about what I comment on, I like to say something of worth, but always start or finish with a well done or something like that. Does that mean such a comment is worthless and should be made? No. It means I'm being polite and complimenting someone on their hard work. Calling people cowards is both insulting and unecessary I for one don't frequent this forum and others on this site to be insulted. If you don't like the quality of comments on works don't read them. If you don't want comments along the lines of "well done" etc on your own future works, then as I said before disable the feature of say something in the text space you have when you make a gallery submission.

I think if you take a look at this person's gallery, you'll see just how qualified they are to insult the rest of us. ;-)

I did - hence my even blunter response to my 1st reply. ;oD

I took a look before I made my reply. :o)

It gets hard to say something original on everyones pieces of art. There are soo many talented artist around here and I have alot of room for improvement so unless I see something in an image that I would like for someone to point out to me if it were my work, I keep it to myself.

Here we go again... The problem with comments in the gallery has nothing to do with cowardice. People prefer to leave a comment about their own reaction when they like an image and keep things to themselves when they don't. That's why you have more 'excellent' than 'boring' comments in the gallery. The truth is - leaving constructive comments without insulting or looking like a troll is HARD. It requires diplomacy, culture, politeness and a lot of thought. Just look at your own post - can you come up with a comment without insulting everyone by calling them cowards ? I have seen some of your previous comments and their were far from being 'friendly comments that can improve the work of others'. Constructive comments work better in a forum type of environment than a gallery. Forums allow artists and viewers to interact in a much better way. Artists here tend to dislike negative comments in their galleries because the comments just stay there without much to answer.

First of all, its strange why some of you think its fair to give my words less weight just because I dont have a gallery. I posted this thread because I think its a good thing to help others with their art, to give guidelines. It gives every artist a good feeling to look at her/his art and to see the improvements. So what has this to do with me having a gallery or not? You lost me here. I love helping and guiding people and thats also why I posted not long ago a thread in which I tried to guide others with some tips. The reason why I dont have a gallery is because I dont need one here at Renderosity. Im in the process of developing a large Photoshop related site with a small group of people and my art will be posted in a gallery on that site. The same gallery will also include some of my vector art and images I did with Cinema 4D and Vue dEsprit. Ive came up with an example of how it took 5 images and 20 comments before someone tried to guide the artist, regardless if his advice was fair or not. Nobody commented on this. Ive also provided a link that I added to explain in more than just mere words what I mean by good critique, again, nobody commented. I can dig up some old threads that prove that there are more people like me who have some concerns about the way people comment. Also nobody seems to remember these threads. Since this doesnt turn into an open discussion, Ive just decided to not to spend anymore words on this, I guess, controversial subject. I want to apologize for the use of the word cowards, but my lack of English also means that I tend to use the wrong words for the wrong occasions. Have a nice day.

Personally.....with no ill intent.... My 5 year old could draw a better pic than the one that you have piosted in your gallery. You have stated here forum about how people only give "excellent" or "well done" comments. Well i am here to tell you that you have no business making such a generalization statement. Especially after submitting a pic as this. I for one will not give someone an "excellent" or anything for that matter unless they deserve it. I am not slamming you, nor am I being harsh. Nor should this comment be deemed as trolling. I am just saying it the way I feel it is. As an artist, i have the right to not only make art, but to critique it as well.

I agreed with Artico and his meaning to it all but like he said, "coward" may be a wrong use of words and I know what he meant. He is VERY right and most of these artist wold never improve with such misleading comment...though one wanna be nice and curteous. One good example is with underwater scene when people mixes fresh water fishes and that of salt water together...LOL! Btw...does one has to have a gallery to prove himself/herself to be worthy of commenting?

"Btw...does one has to have a gallery to prove himself/herself to be worthy of commenting?" Of course not, I've always disliked that attitude. I should have been more clear and regret that I wasn't. I was reacting to the rudeness of the original posting with rudeness of my own, not a good strategy. It wasn't the volume or quality of images I really meant to call attention to but rather the fact that this person hasn't been a member long enough to have known that we've all been around the block with this subject quite a few times. artico's essential point is a good one. In my opnion the validity was damaged by the way the message was conveyed. There's also the fact that the allegation isn't entirely true. With my latest gallery posting I asked for criticism, and I got it. Usually when people offer suggestions for how to do things better, I thank them. I know of others who also encourage and welcome constructive criticism. As regards the "excellent" thing, well, it's true that too many images are "excellent" just because someone enjoyed them. As we all know in the Poser gallery the most "excellent" images are those with large naked breasts, for example. :-) I give the Vue community a lot of credit for having a lot of artistic credibility, community altruism, and the ability to give and take criticism in an adult manner. Again, I'm sorry that my prior comment in this thread was badly expressed. Fighting fire with fire doesn't put out fires.

""excellent" images are those with large naked breasts.." LOL!..this is not the first time I heard this...LOL!...good one!

Artico may have a point - their method of making it however was not the best. Never try to make a point about something by openly insulting the target audience. Hence my perhaps rude and blunt reaction - both of them. It is perhaps a good thing for Artico that he/she did not make such a post to the Poser forum, the term "verbal anihilation" springs to mind, regardless to the merit the original pont may or may not have. In regard to having a gallery - people will often like to see what the speaker can do, to gauge the merit of the speaker i.e. do they have a great deal of experience within the community? That may be why the matter was brought up. One thing I've learned just by sitting back and watching - never make a sweeping or controvetsial statment unless you're prepared for an onslaught and are willing to back up what you say wiht more than just words.

Just wanted to enter this debat. You wrote a comment on of of my images, Edjua - "A guy has 20 minutes of sparetime, he takes a photo, some trees from Xfrog that nobody else has, and soon you'll have 40 comments. I'm impressed" Now tell me... how the heck is that supposed to help me? Do you call the constructive critic?!? I call that trolling. You don't say what you don't like, what you want me to improve... just that you dont like it. That's trolling! ..but hey.. You love helping me and watching me improve!... I like getting comments. Some are "nice work"-ones... some are constuctive. What's wrong with the "nice-work"-ones? They give you pad on the shoulder and helps you to carry on! Is that a problem?

All right,,,, time to end this discussion. The comment Thomas is referring to was deleted soon after it was posted because it qualified as trolling. Having a photograph for a sky and some plants from Xfrog didn't detract from the fact that the end result was a great scene. Let's face it - we will not resolve the issue of nice comments versus constructive ones and the effects of popularity on the amount of views / comments an image receives. Just learn to live with it and go back to the drawing board :)