gvarner wrote:
I believe that when a photo is posted here it becomes subject to critique, whether the OP asks for it or not. Since criticism is adverse in nature, it’s not necessary to point out that a criticism is rude. Offer praise when it’s merited but don’t avoid criticism when it’s not. It would also help if OP's would ask for input if that’s their goal for posting.
My wise old grandmother told me in 1966 about the 80/10/10 rule when she was helping me set up my first business. I was only 11, but her words stuck with me, and for the past 53 years they have rang oh-so-true: "10% of the people will like you because that's the kind of people they are. 10% of the people will hate you because that's the kind of people they are. 80% of the people will like you or hate you based on your words and deeds. So be nice, and you'll have 90% of the people on your side."
I got turned off by the Internet about a decade ago because of the negativity from people hiding behind a computer screen and keyboard. I thought sites where I had a mutual interest with people would be different, so I joined photography sites, gardening sites, sports sites, computer sites, real estate sites, music sites, etc. Nope. They all very much adhered to the 80/10/10 rule.
Thus, I rarely contribute photographs to photography sites. I rarely share my knowledge with the gardening groups, music groups, sports groups, etc. I simply read what I want to read, share occasionally, as here, and move on with my life. I know what works for me and I'm the person I need to satisfy, first and foremost. After looking out for #1, I pay attention to what my Clients want. Although I'm retired, I have passive income from my Photographic Art and my real estate holdings.
My Photographic Art is my main source of income in my retirement years. It is so well established by word of mouth that I don't need to advertise it any more unless I want to encroach into a new county. However, the last major thing I shared here at UHH (August 2, 2015) was how I was going about making my Photographic Art into a business enterprise (see
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-327835-1.html). Read some of the comments. Those are why I rarely contribute anymore.
If I don't like something, I move on.