the first impression counts: it's the same in the gallery as in the real world. i think an interesting thumbnail is the main entrance. and if the title matches (or doesn't matches at all, but sounds interesting) then i'll click. i must admit, i prefer barely dressed beautiful women, but i also like well ornamented, decorated, textured, epic, historic ... scenes. just fantasy (i don't like everyday scenes at all - i have them in the real world - i don't need poser to copy the real world ...) sometimes i am a bit disappointed, i did i real good pic (in my oppinion), spent much time and effort - and no comments - few hits (less than 200). sometimes i post a quick and dirty render, something WIP, just before go to bed - and get many hits. by accident i posted the same pic twice (because had trouble with uploading) - in the meantime there were posted 2-3 pics in between. on the first pic (same thumbnail) i got around 150 views and 5 comments - the second one (posted only some few minutes later) got about 250 views and 2 comments. funny! (i deleted the first pic later and saved the comments ;) it seems that there is much random noise in it: when you post, who is online at the same time ... how about comments: sometimes i comment many pics - sometimes i am lazy. some pics are so stunning that i don't know what to say. just add another WOW-comment to the 40? sometimes i prefer a small IM instead of commenting. there are many artists i admire - if i have time i browse the whole gallery, comment the best pics (but not more than 10 comments). i like to comment pics from unknown artists (who got not so many hits) too. sometimes i browse other galleries (like terragen) and find there are few views but much more (in relation) comments - useful comments with constructive proposals instead of "Ahhhs" and "Ohhhs"! if i get comments on my pics i do a search for the artist and browse the gallery if i find time. sometimes i write back a small thanks IM, but not always. i think: commenting other artist's pics can be a promotion for my own work. sometimes i ask myself: why do i post at all? is it just to get hits and comments? is it fun? is it promotion? i think: as an artist the fist thing should be: i must like my work, enjoy what i do. the second one is to show my work - the third thing should be: comments and hits (i really enjoy having hits and comments). but sometimes i fool myself in posting only pics, exspecting to gain much comments and hits - instead of posting what i realy like. that can be a trap... hope this helps. (maybe i should write an essay - can't stop writing ...) jenay