A few things:

1. Renderosity is one of the most friendly places comment wise.

While I get some criticism from time to time (though I wish I got more, to learn), it's always polite. I've been around the Net and I removed my photos from quite a few places where the comments were nothing but spiteful. Again, I wish I got more critical remarks about my images but saying "it sucks" or "get rid of the frame" is hardly helpful.

2. I don't have much time to comment myself.

My comments are usually only signaling what hooked me on someone's photos. I'd say something like "cool light" or "excellent POV" or simply "great shot". I appreciate more elaborate comments (always give them myself in I see something I think could be improved) but I'm okay with short acknowledgments as well.

3. I often comment on people who comment on me and see nothing wrong with that.

I only really pick those whose art I like. If a new person comments on my photo, I'd go to look through their gallery and only comment if I see something I like. If I don't, I don't comment. In most cases, these people don't come back to comment me again. I'm fine with that.

4. Same with favorite artists.

I have quite a few and while I don't comment on each and every image they upload, I look at all of them and post a comment when there's something absolutely special for me, I don't look through any charts, popularity contests, galleries of the month... sorry. I'm too subjective. :-)

5. I have disabled ratings.

It's true if I got any ratings in the past, it would have been 5s in most cases. Although, what really bothered me about this system was when I got a 4 or less and nowhere in the comments could I find what was "wrong" with my image. I mean, if someone gave me a lower note, I'd love to know why so that I can improve. I'd rather people tell me what they think than give anonymous ratings. I don't give them myself anymore.

6. I don't like people turning the comments off, either.

I never ever emailed anyone who had their comments disabled. I don't think I ever came back to their gallery either, unless I stumbled upon a special image while browsing "What's new". I uploaded a couple of photos with no comment option myself but these were Christmas wishes, I think. Something that needed no comments for me. Other than that, I'm always open and encourage comments.

 

Liam