And it reminds me of this:

Something like this happens to me when I drink too much beer. :-D

Frankly, I don't like the direction this discussion is taking. There are plenty of ART websites out there, if that's what you're into. I fell in love with Renderosity precisely for the reason that it's not elitist.

I'm no pro, I don't aim to be an artist. I love photography and I love sharing my work with friends. I had been looking for a place to do that and I've been taken aback by many such "artsy" websites, I just never dared to publish anything there. Nor was I interested with snap-shot swapping. I needed something in between and that's exactly what Renderosity proved to be for me.

I like a lot of your work, GiMi53, but I'm not sure what  you're trying to show here. That you're better than someone else? Well, enjoy the feeling. I don't care. 

For me it's about sharing and improving here, not patting myself on the back because: "gosh, this guy's work is crap, I'm sooooooooo much better." Anyone who feels like that, stay away from my galleries, please, and stick your comments up some dark place.

Those of you who are willing to help or just plain enjoy the hobby are the reason I'm here.

All I can say is that I have a feeling you're screwing with us here...

Ah hah! The pattern around the eye fooled me. Guys, I don't have macro lenses yet and macro seems the best way to pull this off, I vote for girsempa to start the next thread. Will love to participate but not really to win yet. :-)

LOL! That is a tough one. I'm not good with birds... I'm picturing something big like an eagle or a hawk but that blue streak doesn't fit in really... perhaps someone else?  :-D

An area around an eye of some bird?

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.

1. 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.

1. 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.

1. 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. :-)

1. 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.

1. 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.

Reminds me of the toad:

Reminded me of the lamp:

Light and something else:

Hope it's not coming out as mono- themed but I can't resist that:

Cool thread! Okay, I'll bite. Both of the above remind me of one of my first digital photos here:

I just noticed that it looks horrible resized. Not that it's a particularly good quality photo but this is precisely what I thought of seeing your images. Still, looks better full size...

I have a few friends I like to share my work with - both photo and writing. I have quite a few websites, actually. :-D