Marvelous image and wonderful rant dear Ian - I just love them both!!!

As I said, I think the better weapon against all that shit is indifference, the ones that have decided to spoil the site will not win if everybody no longer reacts or speaks about it. Easy to say when one are not attacked but it's my usual way to do IRL :-)

and you dont have to apologize bro for saying the truth because i fell into this "political trap"as well i counted favs and ratings,sh..man 3 years ago no one even knew the cyberdoc and now i have regular visitors of wich some have become friends even and i dont want to loose that. foink the chartys and the ratings and the favs lerts get things done in a fun way here. it is of course the sad truth that this place has become an "emotional minefield" over the last few weeks.we should stop it right here. lets make it an artfield and a playground again.

Geez, didn't know there was a fight/war/issue going on to the extent that you had to write this. Wow... I mean, I've been here long enough to know that it happens. I know there are people DRIVEN by how many comments they get, how many ratings they get, whether they get on the charts or not, that's a big deal to some. But let's face it, they hit the charts not necessarily because they are great artists, but because they belong to a clique and list of friends that leap/rush here to copy and paste their comments so that whomever does end up there. Let's face also that there are hundred's of ultra brilliant artists here that also NEVER make it to the charts. Personally - because I know this, understand it - my focus is on improving my personal quality of artwork and I just hope that some come to appreciate it. I'll never make the charts, because I don't belong to any clique's - it really is simple as that. So, yeah... focus on doing what makes you feel good. Those that appreciate it, will say so, those that don't won't... LIFE ----- GOES ----- ON! And uh, by the way... nice work on that!

I turned ratings off ages ago and have no intention of turning them back on again. I'm not trying to win any popularity contests, just creating things that I (and hopefully others!) will like and I completely ignore the art charts - I don't even look at 'em

I agree Ian this isn't a race to see who's the best that's why I've always tried to be so descriptive about what I like! But to be critical of someone's work as to make them want to leave shows Just How SMALL MINDED and TALENTLESS THEY Truly ARE as a HUMAN BEING! What drew me here is the limitless and diverse styles and skill levels and I only say that as to say no one was shunned to present what they could imagine! This only promotes growth an as you put it as well as confidence! I've never posted my work here because I just didn't have the means too. So now I have post my work on deviant.com just because of that sme diversity and easier access and wow such love!

Fantastic image, Ian! Very good work!

Beautiful work. I'm always impressed by your lighting skills. Excellent render and nice compositional portrait. Do not leave because of whiners. I guess I've never seen or experienced the bickering because I rarely make the charts. I think 4 times in 4 years for "Favorited Artist". If you leave, they win. I think Legolie and FrankT are right. In this case, if you ignore it, it will probably go away. There are multitudes more who enjoy art for the art, than those who quibble over ratings. Art is indeed subjective for the most part, so no one can be truly right. There's nothing wrong with charts and ratings, it's those who see that as more important to the art. The charts here are for "friendly" competition. There are no prizes or outside recognition. I think anyone on the outside of this forum could look at the art charts, then brwose the galleries and decide for themselves what is right or fair. No chart decides what I like. Be strong. Make art.

The point about Renderosity is that it is a site for artists not consumers of art so any points system is essentially a zero sum game. Its natural to prefer to do well but not everyone can win or even get a look in the various tables. There is also inevitably a tit for tat mentality so to do well you should take time to comment on other people's work as well as spend time perfecting your art. I don't see anything wrong in this. I find it admirable that some people have the interest and patience to give such long and thoughtful responses. Good luck to them. For my self I have long recognised that even 20 responses per day was getting too much which is why I usually don't even permit comments as I know I will be unable/unwilling to reciprocate.

Enjoy art be happy and stuff the charts lets get back to what makes us tick, this is incredible Ian superb work !!

What the f has happened?? I must have missed something!! All I know that once in a while there's something in the air and some like to screw up the joy of other members here!! Some people just forget we are dealing with artist ... not trying to winn a competition ;o]] And gess what; although we might never meet in real life, we are all humans an CAN be hurt here. Please stay put Ian ... I was a victom myself when I was finding my way up at Rendo ... Hard time ...Have to admit that ... But learned to look the other way and kept on going.

I have to agree with Pearl3D on this, I know there has been conflict and sniping, but Trolls have been around a long time, I didn't realize this was getting to the point where good people would want to leave. Why do people do this, jealousy usually, small petty people who feel they are so much better and have been overlooked.. HOW DARE YOU!! rofl..they need to go sit in the corner and think about how they are behaving. I always turn off rating,(well, if I dont forget, lol), havent looked at the so called "art charts" in forever and couldn't tell you off the top of my head how many comments I average on my images. That is not why I do this. I do this because I, me personally, enjoy making my pictures. No they will never hang on the wall of a gallery or grace the pages of a magazine..meh...dont care, I have fun and I share what I make. If people like it I'm thrilled, if they comment that makes me happy too, but it's not why I do this. So, for those who are being targeted, PLEASE ignore the small minded individuals that would take the fun out of this for us all. The rest of us like your work, so keep on making art!!

when I put an image, do not really care what it takes to vote, in fact simply keep forgetting to take it, .. I'm happy when people I admire write something about the image conveyed ... and whenever possible I mention that I found the pictures I like, even using few words (my english is horrible) I'm sad to know that such a war egos happens ... I always thought that I have friends who always are there to encourage my work, not sharp critical to decide which is best ... hopefully this is not your last image ... I love his work ..

I'm really lucky I guess. Nobody has ever said anything nasty to me, but I have read that it happens to a lot of people. It's a shame.

excellent work. that is why i leave ratings off my pic. don't mind negative comments (if it sucks,i it sucks) and if i can improve from the comments, so be it

I too turned ratings off years ago and charts are an unknown country to me. I care only for my friends here and I upload my work as a pleasure for me and them. I should say that I think of my work more as craftmanship than as art. In fact, as an Italian I'm very cautious in the use of the word "art". I don't want Canaletto and Michelangelo to come and pull my feet in the night (local superstition!!;-D). Snobbish, but very safe. stunning image, BTW ;-)!!!

I noticed that some of the people who insult other's art have never posted their own an dI have to wonder why on both points I like and encourage contructive criticism and have it put in a polite manner - not as 'You should do this, this and that to get a better image' my rating was turned off long ago when I would see a list of 'positive comments' and a rating that was inconsistant with those comments. ie 4.15

This is a great place to post images, view others images and have fun. It's a place to show off what you love doing!! Not a popularity contest. Beautiful image, wonderful lighting and pov.

I agree with you. Art is for our enjoyment. We should be glad to share and learn from each other's ways to express art. Let's not pay attention to simplistic and nonsense comments. Let's encourage one another. By the way, fantastic and wonderful work of art!

I like that armour set. Looks cool.

Sorry my internet connection is kill me!!... I'm aware that,What is annoying you is happening rather often in this site.It took time for me to begin to post in Renderosity.In that while,I was only viewing others works.It was inspirational to see new techniques and ideas.I also got serious help from friends about some techniques and problems.So I'm happy to be here among my friends in Renderosity,but some people it seems not so!.. I'm also for ,making art for the sake of art only and believe artistic spirits could make this world a better place.Because of this,it makes me sad even more to see people in art world being so shortsighted and argumantative on silly things. I don't care about the charts,lists etc..its not a race and we are not racehorses! I feel fortunate enough for knowing you and some other friends.Each day I check the pages in Renderosity or my mails,I'm hoping to see a new work of yours.I just don't want to lose my friends because of some worthy,small minded people,So please continue to be here among us with your beautiful art Ian! Well,great lighting and pose complete wonderful scene:-)))

I couldn't agree more.. Unfortunately there is alot of bickering, drama and other petty things on here.. and it seems to be growing.. back when I started here on 2002 it just seemed alot less so.. or maybe I'm just being nostalgic.. This whole "I'll comment on your images if you comment on mine" attitude is really doing my head in. For christs sake, why can't ppl just comment on whatever they want to.. images they like for one reason or another and not just cause they want a comment back.. That kind of stuff belongs in kindergarden. I do my best to stay out of the comment trading game.. and try to just keep to myself.. Once upon a time I tried to comment more than I do these days.. I tried to offer constructive critisism to help others improve as people did for me when I started out, but after getting quite rude site mails about how I thought I was soo much better than everybody else I just stopped.. Now I just post a tutorial every now and then and hopefully it can help somebody.. if not, oh well.. I try to stay away from the galleries as much as I can unfortunately.. I would like for this to be a good community where people help eachother for the sake of helping, rather than doing it to get something back.. maybe one day sigh

I have to agree with all. Art is for enjoyment. I may not always understand someones work but I enjoy looking at it and how they did this or that. I could care less about the charts all they are is a popularity contest, if you have the most friends then you make the charts but I also have to admit that most of those that make the charts deserve to be there. As for myself ( like Faemike55 ) I want constructive criticism because that is how I improve and many of the great artist here have done that for me and I appreciate it. Also Like Faemike55 said, most of the dirty remarks are from people who do not have anything posted in their gallery. You also have to look at the way the ratings are set up ( 1-5 ) if you give me a 5 then you are saying my work is as good as Bossie Boots, Adrie,and so many of the other great artist and we all know that, that just isn't true, I am however striving to be as good as them some day. If you are not doing art for the pure enjoyment of it then you are here for the wrong reasons. Please don't leave Ian. I enjoy looking at your work and would truly miss not having you here !!!

The bickering and pissing contents and popularity contests and cliques are a huge part of why I left Rendo for so long. I actually deleted my entire gallery about two years ago due to a combination of the community b/s and Rendo's marketing/freebie section policies. The bickering doesn't do any good. No one wins. You only chase people away. I left Rendo for two years and was posting exclusively over on Deviant Art as a result of that and the policies. How many other people have just quietly left and never come back? Hell, I only came back at all because this place is sentimental for me. I started here when I first started rendering, and even though my gallery was shut down for two years, I found myself still coming in here to view certain artists' work and get stuff from certain vendors I liked that only sold through here. The bickering just needs to stop, folks. All you do with it is hurt the community, and chase people off. I don't know about anyone else, but I have absolutely zero tolerance for the b/s anymore. Come here, look at the lovely artworks, and perhaps add your own contribution, to hell with the skill level. That's what we're supposed to be doing around here, isn't it? So do it.

Great image!!

Well said Ian.. I missed this and agree.. I'll not rant, you know I can.. I have my strong views about the Rendo moderators and their switching rules to suit.. I don't like that.. But.. I now ignore everything else.. I DO THINK the Rendo folks have turned this site into one for vendors not artists.. I think they should take away the ratings systems and all listing.. That will stop most bickering.. Keep comments because it is MEANT to be for critical comments etc.. Not digs.. Also, if more than a certain number of people complain about a member they should be banned, vendor or artist.. Your picture of course BRILLIANT! Rob