I think there are lots of things that makes visitors look at a pic, and leave a comment, or not. Yes, there surly is a good part for the thumbnail. I think there is also the title. It can looks stupid but certain titles are not impressive while others can capture your attention. It's the difference between 'sun and water' and 'Wake of Victoria Lake' titles. :-) I suppse there is also some themes that are more 'viewed' than others. Mystical or fantasy, Egyptian or historical pictures invits more looking than 'the-little-grass-behind-the-garage-of-my-parents' picture. This doesn't mean that your picture of this grass is not a good work, but... ;-) And surely, there is the name under the picture. Lots of renderosity's members are well known for the quality of their works and, in a certain way, all of their pictures is like an event. Take your time, continue the work, and surely you'll create this kind of events... For your thoughts about realism, I think the purpose of creating scenes with vue (and any render program) is not photorealism, but "believablism" (wow !). yes, you can make an unreal scene, 'Attack on Mars', 'Moon Ocean' or 'Fields of Dreams' or 'Salamander in the Sun'. For the two first examples, you must make a scene that people who see it can believe. For the two others, the principal point will be the composition of the picture. But even there, you must not make a 'non-sense'. A source light is a source light. If there is a torch in the left of your scene and all your scene is lighted from the right, there's a problem !!! You must be logical with your scene. In fine, the most important thing, about digital art, and all forms of art is fun ! You must have a good fun when you make pictures. It must not be a hunt for approbation of other users, but a real pleasure. If you have that fun, and if people can feel it in what your produced, fame and glory will become yours... ;-)