Attached Link: http://www.renderosity.com/mod/gallery/browse.php?user_id=122117&page=1

 

It's definitely a "I scratch your back, you scratch mine" mentality in the galleries.  That being said, I've seen many users of Poser, Vue, etc.. trying to improve and doing an admirable job over the years. 

Look at Calum5's gallery (above link).  He started out with Poser and Bryce, then moved to Zbrush.  Now his work has been featured in several issues of ballistic publishing's Exotique.  There are several others who have ranked high in the popularity charts, who do very good work.

Raj, I love your products but I never did understand these type of threads.  Everything is relative.  If you take any of the "top" artists here, not many would hold up to what I've seen at CG talk.  Calum posts over there and gets just a handful of comments sometimes.  The only artist who consistently gets great press here and at more pro sites (deservedly so) is Stonemason.

This is a hobbyiest site.  It's products, advertising, and vast majority of gallery images confirm this.  To expect more is frankly bordering on delusional.  If you want to really improve, the sad reality is that Rendo gallery comments are probably not the best place to expect much fulfillment.  As others have said, the vast majority are just here to relax, have fun, tap into their need for artistic release, and connect with friends.

Poser is used at Cg talk and other more professional sites by very few, to very nice ends sometimes.  But again, most of the "best" poser renders (sans postwork),..at present, they just can't hold a candle to high level max renders. If they could, more pros would be using it.  Why pay more to get the same result.

I think the greatest thing going for poser right now, is that it provides a gateway for those interested in Cg art to learn the basics and move on to more serious apps as they improve. The best way to learn the basics here, is to study the few quality images (whatever those are for you) and find a few here who are willing to critique.  Post images in the galleries, make friends with whoever you consider is a great artist, and then ask them to comment on your work, privately through IM or email.