Wonderful capture! I agree with what you say, no one should leave because of a few who want to rule the roost. There is a wonderful support system here, art gets stolen at other places too, thats the nature of the net, so please don't anyone leave because of that!

Wise words, jocko, and a great photo to go with them!

wonderful capture!!! You are positively right!! And about envious people I remember my father told me "If you find a sh*tdrop in the street, don't jump on it but skip it!" That is what to do with those envious, mean people. Always hold your ground!!!

As for moi, I've never particularly cared whether what I do is "stolen." I think I'd be flattered and besides I can always just make more. No big deal. LOL. BTW, I've considered watermarking my stuff just to see if it goes anywhere. But why bother? :-) Nice write-up and photo Jock.

Excellent stark contrast and composition in this capture, Jock! I've gotta start trying that light/shadow effect myself. As for stealing my art/photos, I don't know if they do or if they don't. I've encountered some nasty persons on Rendo (I'd love to name them), but most have been pretty decent and stellar folk. I know several people have left Renderosity because they can't take the criticism, or they feel that many of the other artist's stuff is garbage and then go looking for other websites to display their efforts. Incidentally, Vincent van Gogh cut off his ear, but not because of his art.

Maybe I can do something more with what I post, maybe not. But ultimately, I post stuff because I want to. Some of it's good (well, I hope so) and some isn't that great. Regardless, there are some who wander by each time and leave a comment or something, which tells me that I must be doing something right somewhere. Sure, there are issues, the things you've mentioned among them. Why let a handful of people dictate things and ruin the experience for others? On Renderosity, there is a large cross section of users, ranging from hobbyists to industry pros and pretty much everything in between. Some are here to show off what they've done, some want feedback, some for something to do other than catch up on the latest viral vids on YouTube. Don't like something? Hit the back button and move along. Simple as that. If you're going to criticize something, choose your words wisely and don't let your fingers do all the talking for you. I've seen some bitter words tossed around and more than a few people storming off, come of them coming back later on. Sometimes you need to step back and not post something, maybe even refrain from coming here for a while and catch up on the galleries (and forums, if you visit them as well) when you get back. Taking a break from this place can make a lot of difference. Aside from a thumbnail that I made, I haven't seen anything I've created elsewhere, nor have I been told of it. But who knows, maybe something I've uploaded will end up on another site. It's not the end of the world, just something to deal with and hopefully the person(s) at the other end are willing to listen. If not, it's not hopeless and I'm not going to yank everything I've put online as a knee-jerk reaction. well, that's how I see it all. There's no one absolute answer that covers everything. Well, except for 42, but that's a given.

I had some of my early Blender 3-D stuff stolen and put up on that Russian website. I ran the site through a translator, and it was just free images for your desktop ... stuff people liked and wanted to share. Nobody was making any money on it. The world did not come to an end. The most important thing I've learned while I've been here is that what people think of me is about them, and not about me. I just post my artwork. There seem to be people here who love me, who love my work, and there are probably people who hate me or my work, and there are undoubtedly people who have never even heard of me and couldn't care less! Same gallery, same comments, same everything. I'm just doing what I'm doing, and people will think whatever they think based on who they are, not based on what I'm doing! By the way ... I love this image! The statue is so graceful, so beautiful, and you've done a wonderful job photographing it. Excellent work!

Well, first and most important, I love this image! There's a half dozen stories I can think to go with this image, and that's why it's such beautiful one. It inspires. Can't wait to see more shots from this cemetary. I don't think I've had things stolen from me. Since it's not happened to me, I don't know how I would react. I look at my "art" like each one is my child. I've created it, or spawned it, grins. So I could get a tad bent, I think, if someone stole one of my children. Don't think it'll happen though, there's so much really fabulous stuff out there. I just feel bad that it's happened to others, and that so much talent, and some friends, have left here.

What ever reason or decision one makes whether staying or moving on, its theirs, they are my friends and I wish them well with respect. And I'm sure they respect my decision to stay. I sure miss them and hope they come back, even just for a visit. A few of them do visit just to say hello and I appreciate it too. Aloha

Well, first and most important, I love this image! There's a half dozen stories I can think to go with this image, and that's why it's such beautiful one. It inspires. Can't wait to see more shots from this cemetary. I don't think I've had things stolen from me. Since it's not happened to me, I don't know how I would react. I look at my "art" like each one is my child. I've created it, or spawned it, grins. So I could get a tad bent, I think, if someone stole one of my children. Don't think it'll happen though, there's so much really fabulous stuff out there. I just feel bad that it's happened to others, and that so much talent, and some friends, have left here.

What ever reason or decision one makes whether staying or moving on, its theirs, they are my friends and I wish them well with respect. And I'm sure they respect my decision to stay. I sure miss them and hope they come back, even just for a visit. A few of them do visit just to say hello and I appreciate it too. Aloha

I love your photo of the statue! I would not have a clue if anyone was stealing my photos because I don't go looking for them anywhere. I'm not sure if it would bother me anyway. I have written over 40 lab manuals, problem manuals and texts in the past 20 years with my small publishing company and my work has been widely copied in violation of my copyrights. I am somewhat used to it by now, which doesn't mean I like it, but I do live with it. Since my books are usually mandatory in classes where they have been adopted, and since I often know the numbers of students enroled, I can tell you that 15 to 20% of individual students will photocopy my books from a friend in their class rather than buy it. And my books usually cost less than five cheeseburgers. I suspect many of the thieves think nothing of spending $100 on booze for a Saturday night. I can tell you that no one gets rich writing books for courses in electronics, you do it because you want to, and feel a need to. Much like photography. In the end we all die anyway, so why spend your time worrying about thieves when there is so much good photography waiting to be done? The thieves will eventually pay a price, if they aren't already, Many of them will just be too stupid to realize that fact. I have learned there are many caring people on this site, so I would stay even if my stuff was being ripped off - they're just small files anyway and cannot compare to the 200 MB file I had printed today. It is 31" by 24" and was made to replace a framed poster in my bedroom, and even this large it looks great and makes me very happy! I do periodically go through my gallery and delete photos but just to keep my gallery on the small size. That encourages me to keep working on new images and challenges.

The only thing that really happen is your pride got hurt. Me; I wish some one would steal my art. Then I know I good. JOCKO: You are a VERY WISE man, my FRIEND! (TallPockets ALSO wishes HIS JUNK was worth taking!). GRINS.

Great rant Jock, the winner takes it all, the looser has to fall (in this case, he could be turned off) - it's a pitty with such people in here!!! Wish you a nice day, hug's Ute

So ~Evocative~ Your Words are Wise, & I agree with You... We are Artists, & no one can take that away from us :-} FABULOUS!!!

Well thought out. Nice picture!

I do so agree with you, Jocko! There can't be much pleasure in pretending something is your own work when you know you stole it.. for me the 'JOY IN THE MAKING' comes first, and then the pleasure of sharing it with the lovely people I've met here. BTW Although I ran a business selling pottery things, I've NO idea how to sell thing digitally! It's not long since I learned how to turn a computer on! And ...a super pic of this lovely object!

Beautiful dedication my friend. For all these Artists of Great values which left for X reasons. It is so sad of to hear these vexations and to be able anything to make to help. Grew not a site with least that nothing the best should be kept, the Artists. But good that salt the click and money which opens the doors ((5++)) Belle dédicace mon ami . Pour tout ces Artistes de Grandes valeurs qui sont partis pour x raisons . Il est si triste d'entendre ces déboires et ne pouvoir rien faire pour aider . Ont ne grandis pas un site avec des moins que rien Il faut garder le meilleur ,les Artistes . Mais bon que sel les clic et$$$$ qui ouvre les portes((5++))

I won't disclose names, but it was a time when I got mad cause somebody started messing with some of my posts, and I simply wanted to erase my whole gallery, but I didn't do it just because I respect the time people like you spent on my pictures to see them, to leave a comment, and I said it would be unfair to erase their comments along with my pictures... but stealing artwork ain't fair, and I agree with all those people who get mad when they see their stuff being used by some art thieves...

Wow!

Touching statue and very true words. I noticed Adrie posted today. Maybe...?

I've never had anything stolen that I know of. I guess it would depend on what they did with it as to how I felt. It seems to me that most bad comments are on those galleries that get a lot of comments and seem to stem from jealousy. Critical comments are fine if they are written respectfully and to help the artists, otherwise they reflect badly on the person commenting, not the artist, and are not worth noticing. Lovely image! There is a great since of wonder and freedom in this statue that goes well with your excellent words. Beautiful capture!