Seeking your subjective viewpoint
jaxprog
Posts: 312
An individual uploads his or her render on the gallery and the motivation <your point of view here> is hoped to be fulfilled.
If were you to provide a point of view to this question what would be your view?
If may express the question in another way because its important you under the context of the question.
Example scenario that all of us probably go through since we are daz studio users.
1) I make an image
Possible Motivation: Doing so facilitates joy. It feels good and I like to feel good.
Possible Fulfilment: Doing so satisfied the need to create.
2) I upload my image to the gallery
Motivation: <your point of view here>
Fulfilment: <your point of view here>
I’m not looking for a point of view to part 1.
I’m looking for your point of view on part 2.
This is not a debate. There are no rights and there are no wrongs. There are no sides to take.
I thank you for taking the time to provide your point of view.
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2) I upload my image to the gallery
Motivation:To provoke, excite, entertain, arouse, and inspire people
Fulfilment: getting ANY kind of reaction positive or negative. Sometimes, I dont want my work to be perfect just to see what people will say.
Having said that, I find the sheer lack of responses here and on other sites quite demoralizing. I mean how hard is it to click a like button, or to view a piece of someone's work?
For me personally there are way to many images in this gallery and many others to view them all and the thunbnail has to make me want to view the actual image. If I see an image that motivates me to look at it further then I have no issue with clickiing a like button of expressing my reaction to it. Everyone has their own ideas on what makea a great image. I look for things like subject matter, postwork or not (prefer not), composition, lighting and detail.
I have had a few images here go up in the popular banner and it's a nice feeling, but I posted my image because I liked the end result, not because I am trying to see how many likes and comments I can get, those are just bonuses to me.
2) I upload my image to the gallery
Motivation: to share the vision in my head or showcase a product or addon I like or created
Actually to open a dialogue with like minded creators
Fulfilment: MONEY, LOTS OF MONEY!!!
I won't lie, there have been a few images that I was really proud of and wanted to show them off, but when you get little to no reaction, you have to learn to not rely on that for any sort of validation or it will mess with your mind and leave you discouraged. Alway rely on what you know, which is you. As long as you believe in yourself, then you can stay on target
I usually post to my DA account because I don't like that the DAZ TOS stiffles my creativity. Unfotunately while I really enjoy a dialogue, in the past I was always too busy to reply to comments left much and have been working to get better at it.
I get no fullfilment from uploading to the gallery and rarely even check or care if I get comments. I usually only post once in a while, if I happen to have time, sometimes experimental stuff or just for the hell of it playing with new "toys". I only post like 1% of my art and it's not even my best work which I'm trying to save for Patreon. It's actually a pain to upload so I don't do it often and expect nothing from it. I get more psychological fullfilment when I show my work on my phone at a party LOL.
My motivation for adding to the gallery is that I hope somebody, somewhere enjoys some of my art.
I never visit the gallery so I just went over there to have a look... and it's just... too much...
Wouldn't know where to start or what to say, really. On the front page there was a number of those cute characters against some random background, I clicked on environments and saw the same characters...sorry people, each to their own I suppose;) I do those renders too but I don't post them over there, already enough of them.
I think I like the actual learning process the most, need challenges. And since I'm a musician, this whole CG thing is a great challenge to me;)
Thank you for taking the time to provide your point of view.
I upload my images to the gallery because I want validation and approval of my art. However wanting validation and approvel from others is often argued as being weak. Nonetheless that's why I upload my art.
From the few responses alone, I can gather that the reason why there is a lack of gallery interaction (defined as, I take the time to look at people's artwork, comment on it and give it thumb) is
1) The gallery setup may be confusing, so why bother navigating it and perusing. (FSMC Design's viewpoint)
2) The gallery may not provide the best means for one to feel that their artwork and effort may be recognized to one's satisfaction and thus one share's their artwork on a more personal one on one basis. (Wonderland's viewpoint)
3) Indifference and apathy. (beyonder2k9's viewpoint)
4) Haven't been there yet and explored it. (Sven's viewpoint)
My predominate feeling is despite many people posting images on daily basis, that for some reason, people are just apathic. People don't care. Its kind of a contradictory statement in a way. People interact with the gallery by posting their images, but don't really care about other people's artwork. Its like there a one-sided relationship where one side gives and the other side takes and gives very little. Which begs the question, why do you post your art and what return of investment are trying to get from it? Is it worth it?
I started Daz back in June of 2013. Made a large gallery over time on Daz, Renderosity and Deviat Art. Later I shut them all down. I layed waste to almost 5 years worth of artwork. There was no return on investment for time I'm put into my artwork. I couldn't understand the difference between what I produced and those that produced images that took in 40 or more thumbs other than the default reason, "I just simply suck." Or is its because of apathy. But if it is apathy then why not be apathetic universally with all images. If its not apathy, may again I just simply suck at doing this kind of thing despite investing 5 years or practice and probably spending up wards to $30,000 dollars between Daz and Renderosity.
I wanted to put his out here and to see where I stood among others point of view.
Amazingly only handful people took the time to give a response no different than how the gallery is treated.
It can't be apathy because if it were, then forums would be ghost town, so it has to be something else.
Off Topic Question: Could Daz consider this kind of issue and as opportunity for customer retention. If a customer spends a lot of money on your content and comes to the conclusion that using all the stuff they purchased no longer provides a return on investment, then is it possible that Daz would lose customers? I'm not business major or a marketing guru. I don't know Daz's business model or how they think. And perhaps this kind of thing has already been thought of in an business analyst meeting and the conclusion is, "we got more customers coming in than going out, who cares what an insecure customer thinks and whines he's not getting thumbs on his gallery." I don't know. Just a thought.
Anyway thanks for your time. If you want to add more viewpoints and opinions, I will definitely appreciate your time and energy. Afterall, that's time you will never get back, and I appreciate you for that.
For the record, it's not that it's "The gallery setup may be confusing, so why bother navigating it and perusing". it's that there are quite a few images uploaded daily and it would take more time for me to attempt to look at them all, hence why the thumbnail has to grab me in order to take a look at the bigger image. You can have 20 great images of hot warrior women, but if only one thumbnail stood out then that is the one I am going to view and comment on. Doesn't mean the other 19 suck.
I know I am decent at what I produce most of the time because I work with 2 publishers that pay me for images and I see and learn from what I see from others, yet I get very few comments at DA on my work. if I was like you and others needing validation for what I do it would bother me. Luckily I am not that way and when not doing commercail work, I produce for myself..
You also need to keep in mind that it is also a popularity contest with most galleries, users want to comment and be active on the "cool" creators images to be included in the percieved inner circle, just like in school and on the social media sites.
Keep in mind, people who would see this topic and want to respond, may live in different time zones to you, and at the time you posted this topic, could be asleep, or at work, or not on the computer. Such as me.
I've only just seen this post at 3.15pm my time. so it's not "apathy" as you mention, but simply that I was probably asleep at night when you posted.
My motivation for creating the art in the first place is passion. I've always been fascinated by 3D art and with Daz Studio, I can be the artist as well as the art lover. I create what I want to see and I try to stretch my abilites with every image. I'm proud of all my images, and I'm proud of how much I've learned in the four years I've been creating 3D art. My husband complains I spend too much time on the computer, but I'm just so eager to turn my ideas into images, it's hard to turn the computers off to go to bed at night.
2) I upload my image to the gallery
Motivation: Basically, upload once, share many times. I let Daz host my images, which I then link to or embed in forum posts. I also have several private galleries for the same purpose, with WIP or educational images.
Fulfilment: I create art to fulfill a need in my heart, but it does feel good when people take a moment to Like an image, or more time and leave a comment. It's like cream cheese frosting on a good carrot cake. I don't have to have the frosting to enjoy the cake. But it doesn't hurt.
@jaxprog, a good thread title is just as important in the forums as a good thumbnail image is in the galleries. "Seeking your subjective viewpoint" is vague enough, a lot of people won't even notice. Try something more specific, like "Survey: Why do you upload images to the Daz Galleries? Or why do you not?"
And to get noticed in the galleries, it really helps to post the image in a topical forum thread, (or several!) As stated above, there are so many images posted to the galleries every day, it's really hard to keep up. But posting an image in a relevant thread with a link back to the gallery page will usually see at least some likes and the occasional comment on the gallery page. The image will frequently get a few comments in the thread(s), too. And posting in a relevant thread is putting the image(s) in front of the people most likely to appreciate the art..
too many uploads in the DAZ gallery, nobody sees anything I upload unless I link it elsewhere, is only useful as an image sharing site for renders
There are different motivations and Fullfilments for me for commercial or spare time projects.
1) I make an image
Motivation:
Hobby - I want to experiment with new technological features and express my point of view of the world.
Commercial: I want to satisfy the needs of the client without betraying my moral and ethical values.
Possible Fulfilment:
Hobby: Gaining new knowledge. Satisfaction of knowing that I could create something if I wanted.
Commercial: Positive interaction with business partners on a long term basis.
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2) I upload my image to the gallery
Motivation:
None.
Companies use the galleries as source of free promotional material without properly paying the artists other than some limited exposure.
Other users rate the images of friends positively. It is a community popularity contest as in many other art areas.
Speeking your mind on the forum on controversive topics risks attracting trolls or haters.
Some individuals leave not only negative comments on the gallery but follow to linked social media pages.
This is bad for business.
Fulfilment:
By refraining from uploading images to the gallery I try to prevent whatever happens on the forum to spill over to the business.
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This is the basic challenge of art communities. Many artists want others to see their work. Even if they do comment on other artists work it may just be a way to get other artists to respect their own work. "I like yours and you like mine."
Artists may be better off finding their own audience in other communities where they are the artists and everyone else is just a viewer that either enjoys the work done or does not.
After years working in creative areas I come to the conclusion that in many cases it is not worth it to share your art for the "wrong reasons".
I do not anymore feel the need to share all spare time projects publicly.
Sometimes it is enough to send a picture to just one friend or family member.
From my own experience I can share that negative interactions on the DAZ3D forum with other users have a negative direct consequence on my spending in the DAZ3D store. Subjectively it does not matter that it is other users and not DAZ3D who caused a negative experience. What lingers is that the negative experience happened on a forum or in the gallery area of a business where a lot of money was spent in the store.
Would it help if DAZ3D payed some people to go trough the gallery and leave positive comments or encouraging feedback?
Basically personal moral support and guidance.
Maybe they could somehow try to attract just regular viewers to the galleries who want to watch images without being interested in creating art themselves?
They did post or share some images on facebook and I guess those who were selected can feel good about that.
This would still leave all the others frustrated who are not selected.
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I feel it is not the obligation of DAZ3D to find ways to bring the art their customers create out into the world.
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Just shop in the DAZ3D store and try not to get too attached to whatever happens on the gallery or the forum.
Create your own art with licensed content and bring it out into the world to your own communities whereever you live.
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I've just posted a render to the gallery for the first time in ages, solely because it was a required condition of entry into the PC render competition. This sort of thing often explains my motivation. There are other reasons sometimes, but I dont think any of them have much to do with garnering 'likes'. That said, I don't complain if I see them :)
2) I upload my image to the gallery very occasionally
Motivation: Early on (when the galleries were new) just to try the feature out, nowadays just when a competition requires me to add my entries there (e.g. the current PC+ Anniversary Render Contest)
Fulfilment: Very little, it's just a means to that end.
I rarely visit my own gallery here - maybe for a couple of days after adding an entry to see if anyone has put up a response or asked a question about an image.
I only look at other people's work here if a forum post mentions it - there are just so many images added that I find it too time-consuming to look. Plus I use mostly visit the forums from an elderly version of IE which doesn't display the gallery very well. I use Chrome browser daily to check the shop and offers (because ot Ati's browser add-on which doesn't work in IE) but rarely remember to look at the gallery while I'd doing that.
my motive is to share what I like. I am well aware that what I find interesting is in a minority here at the store and that there are many lurkers....so I don’t share stuff to get likes.
I am however curious which images people prefer of mine as I’m interested in trends but that doesn’t mean I will pump out more of the same.
1 i like men so I enjoy illustrating what I like. I also enjoy trying new techniques making my own poses and showing them.
2 I upload images because I enjoy it. I like to look at my gallery to see the way my characters have evolved and to share techniques and what I’m into.
for what it’s worth I check out the gallery daily. It isn’t a chore to me at all. It’s fun to see the art of others.
Why I post in the galleries-
Usually, it's because a new product has come out and my render looks a bit different than the promos, so it's there if people want a different perspective.
Second- I just mentioned on my Art Studio thread a few days ago, it's sad to see excellent products without any gallery images noted on the Product Pages, using the Daz Deals app. So my motivation the past week was to do a couple and feature products for the vendors who didn't get much love in the galleries, and who deserve to get their products seen ON THE PRODUCT PAGES. My Fiona got 17 likes when I posted her last week, she had zero gallery images up to that point and she's quite a lovely Lyoness character.
I did however, find the number of gallery images indicated on Product Pages is not always accurate with the app (as also noted by another person) because one day it indicated there weren't any gallery images, and the next day there were FOUR, all from dates PRIOR to the date indicating zero. So you can't always rely on that.
But heads up for people who want to get noticed-
For over a year, there has been an established thread in Art Studio called Tell Us! Links To Favorite Gallery/ Art Studio Renders It's had 6,770 views/posts and people make an effort to view the gallery links when posted. It is an organized method, because as mentioned, it's hard to keep up with galleries due to the massive flood of images at times. The thread is for you to post your BEST gallery images, not every one under the sun.
Here is how it works.
Take a peek at the Main List, and you'll see New gallery images noted with a date in red.
To see how each individual makes their list, here' s mine as an example.
It's very easy and it is an organized, simple way for a group of people to let each other know when gallery images have been posted. It should be used in moderation, we haven't had that problem but I have to be upfront that flooding the thread with every gallery image you do (if you post a lot) isn't what the thread is designed for. It says "FAVORITE" gallery images. You can also shine the spotlight on other people's galleries by posting links. :) I try to find those who haven't had much "love" and tend to focus attention on those.
Do not go on the thread and ask people to look at your gallery, that's a no-no. Make a post with links such as described in How This Works, above.
I think in conclusion of my issue, is I'm taking the gallery way to personally I'm killing myself internally and I need to chill out.
It seems an overall consensus is that the gallery takes too much time. One goes there and sees a plethora of images. Nope I ain't got time for this.
Thank you Jakiblue for the timezone consideration.
Thank you L'dair for sharing. I find myself glued to my art computer too. Thank you for the title suggestion. I was thinking that vagueness may create curiosity. What's is jaxprog talking about? Let's find out. It may be that exactness attracts people as opposed trying to create a question that may lead to an action, like click bait for example.
Thank you Wendy.
Thank you linvanchee. Nice constructive analysis. I wouldn't want Daz to invest into a special group of people and peruse the galleries for the sake of people like me in my situation, espically when people like are so few. Its like, I want my art to be seen and commented on, but only if I earn it as opposed to an artificial review. What really needs to take place is, I just need suck it up. I just need to get over myself. I just need not to be so self-centered and reevaluate my values in regards to why I'm doing this artwork.
Thank you Astracadia
Thank you MelanieL
Thank you Serene Nights. LIke you, I invest a lot of time in the gallery. I like studying other people's artwork. I'll zoom on some images and just stare at them examining the details. I post comments, thinking that I may be helping others, but often find, that my comments, may actually turn people off and discourage them from continuing to use Daz Studio which is bad. This creates a conflict inside me. Which leads to another on the spur of the moment rhetorical somewhat off topic thought in regards to using the gallery:
(Going somewhat off topic again, but yet somewhat related) Is it likely that the gallery is not about showing off one's art. Is it likely that the gallery is not about seeking better ways to improve one's own art. Is it likely the gallery is not about art for the sake of art. Is it likely for many (not all) the gallery is an escape mechanism. Its a place where people can go to get away from real life for a reason <you fill in the blank>. And when people like me who are here for art reasons, taking things way too seriously and comment on their images, it takes away their comfort zones. If the gallery becomes a source of stress in real life then why be a Daz Studio customer?
They don't need this stress. They came to gallery to get away from stress and life's mayhem. They don't need jaxprog to study their art and provide a point of view or a suggestion.
Again another reason why I may need to reevaluate why I'm here. Perhaps the gallery's lack of authencity nags at me. If I'm going stay at here and post my own images, I need find new meaning to it or just simply find something else to do with my life.
Anyway, I tend to be long-winded. I appreciate everyone's time and comments.
Artists can be sensitive I've found.. So I tend to avoid unsolicited critique. Unless someone wants critique of their work, I don't volunteer that a foot is sinking in the floor, or that the lighting is too dark. Those types of comments I reserve for people request constructive critique. If that is not requested I don't volunteer such info. Instead in the gallery I tend to tell people the images I like, and that they look good.
If you like critique, there are places to get it. You can use deviant art, or the art studio forum.
That's my own feeling on the subject, but not something anyone else should abide by.
For me, the gallery certainly is a place is to show off art. Why would it not be?
That's my .02
Thank you Novica. I examined the system you setup. I'll take advantage of it when I get my gallery restocked again and give this another go. I really love Daz3D and Daz Studio. When I work on my projects, I feel good. When I spend money on Daz3D, I feel like I'm investing in my a part of overall wellness as a human being. Part of that is seeing that my work means something to other people. So again. I'll give it another go. Thanks.
Serene Nights, I'll take your advice change my gallery m.o. You have probably seen many of my comments I'd imagine. So, its time for a change. When I see people what seems like there is an improvement they need, I won't throw the life perserver unless, its requested.
So thank you everybody. I may not post on this thread again. I think have everything I was looking for when I started this thread.
Again you guys are great. Thanks for your feedback.
I wish I could look at and like or comment on every picture posted in the galleries every day, but with the volume of images there simply isn't enough time in the day to do that. However, I do enjoy looking at other people's artwork. It inspires me. I post some of my own occasionally, but I don't want to flood the galleries with mediocre works since I'm not the most skilled at 3-D art. I simply render what makes me happy. I feel more fulfilled when I show my art to friends and family and it makes them smile. I'm a gamer, and I tend to get pulled into playing on-line RPG's for hours a day rather than other things, but looking at the galleries is also fun. I appreciate the work everyone puts into their 3-D art. And even if mine isn't the best, I'm still putting down real money for content, so I am helping to support the cause. I really enjoy DAZ Studio and 3-D art whether I get "likes" or not. Somewhere along the line in art and in personal life validation needs to come from within oneself. Do what makes you happy and don't care so much about whether others like it or not.
Intersting question (s)
I make art because I have to. In one form or another I have been making art since I can remember. I can't NOT make art (wether its good or not is of course highly subjective, depending on the viewer of course). Art helps me relax, and I love doing it.
I do occaisionally post stuff in the gallery, usually things that I personally think came out good, or where I managed to execute the image in my head very close to accurately. Do I do it for the likes? Well, given that those tend to be few and far between, yes and no lol. Do I appreciate the ones I get, of course I do. Its nice when my art is noticed and people say they like it. Mostly, I just like to keep a record of some of what I consider my best work at any given time. Its quite interesting to see my own progression over time.
I really only go to the gallery when I post an image or I am checking on items posted in Novica's render thread, or someone in the art thread has linked their image in a post. I have very little free time, so its more a lack of time than desire. Plus, its difficult sometimes to wade through 25 images that are identical except for a slight pose change, from one artist. I do however, when I post my own images, make a point of going through the last 3 or 4 pages and commenting or liking on other people's images. And I do wish I had more time to explore further.
If you are looking for validation or comments etc on your art, you should start an Art Studio thread for your work. Many of us have one and its been a realjoy to interact with other people about our artwork.
I have found that the more you comment, like, and iteract with other people's art on various sites, the more your own art will attract, likes, ocmments and interaction. I have made some really good friends on Deviant Art, and Renderosity and here in the Daz Forums. The gallery here, though, does not really promote that kind of interaction.
I make art, actually I create characters mostly, with occasional forrays into art; as I'm creating a character (or changing one I purchased) I create renders - if I'm happy with something about them, I post them.
I don't do it for the responses - although they are welcome.
I do it as a way to keep a record. I want to see what improvements there are as I progress; the yard/metre-stick I'm using is 'I'm happy'.
For me, art comes from within; listening to what others tell you what you're feeling just seems wrong. That is how I interpret the statement revolving around the 'validation and approval' you are seeking.
Strive to improve your art from a technical pov; other's can offer lots of suggestions there. Only you can find your voice.
Interesting. Novica brought Art Studio and your best top 10 items and now I see Ice Dragon mention, Art Studio again. I find it rather strange that one art’s is likely to be noticed via the forum as opposed to the gallery where having that quality should be intrinsic. You would think, Ah, here is the gallery, this is where people show off their art. This is the place to be noticed.
I don’t want to be offensive here, but what it really seems to me is that Daz3D’s web presence is not really about art. It’s just another social media site. Please don’t get me wrong. Art is coursing through the veins of Daz3Ds web presence, no doubt, but its foundation for existence is, lets make friends and be friends and lets chat have fun as opposed to this is my art. This is a gallery. I put my art on the gallery where it’s the “focus” of attention.
Again, I don’t say this to belittle anyone or the way things are, but it seems to me that their there is lack authenticity. It seems that we are here for social needs predominately and artwork is the medium in which social needs are accommodated, hence just another social media site.
I really don’t think there is a place where art comes first and the byproduct may result in social relationships. Again, it’s something that I myself must resolve and decide whether it’s worth continuing this. I need to reevaluate things. There is a lot of inner value conflicts taking place inside me because like Ice Dragon Art, I have that compelling drive to always be creating. The reality of it all is, not everyone is like me. This something I must come to terms with.
Its not my place or right demand change on something that works and is happy with it state of existence. I’m the one with the problem and I need to figure it out.
@jaxprog, I don't think you have a problem. As I see it, the public Daz Galleries do not fit your needs. That's neither right or wrong, it just is. (I know quite a few forum members who prefer to showcase their art elsewhere, Deviant Art being the most used alternate gallery for the folks I'm aware of.)
IceDragonArt's suggestion to start and maintain a thread in the Art Studio forum is a good one. Over time you can build a following of people who like what you do. They will comment and ask questions, even offer helpful suggestions if you ask for a critique. Another possibility is to start a blog. And if you have an Art Studio thread, you can use it to help build your blog following. (It's not easy to build a blog audience, though, and if you're not paying to host your site, there may be even more restrictions than Daz's TOS!) But perhaps, neither of these suggestions work for you.
Ultimately, it's about finding a place that works the way you do, not changing the way you think to work the way a place does. There is no reason for you to compromise who you are.
As I see it, the Art Studio forums are better for interactive critique than the Gallery. I miss comments posted on my Gallery images all the time and there isn't an easy way to have a threaded conversation. Mostly I post things in my Gallery that illustrate ideas that I'm talking about in threads where I'm trying to offer help to people.
I go to the gallery a couple of times per week. I see a lot of great art there and really love seeing all the different styles and what some of my favorite artists here are doing.
I don't count or expect likes because I only use Daz to get an image I CAN postwork-that s when the fun starts, for me. ( I've had PM s telling me I do too much postwork and my images are not real 3 d ) I do a lot of different versions for each render and posting it helps me pick the best version-might sound weird, but it works for me. I also prefer men and rarely render women-and women rule in this gallery!
I think, you are doing just fine. I am also very rarely posting to the gallery, I prefer posting images in the forum threads.
If someone responds to the thread, then you have some recognition and possibly discussion about your art.
If you are inferring that I am seeking social acceptance via likes and views, you are mistaken. I just want to know that my art is having some kind impact on someone. Some of my art is not socially acceptable(nudes and such) so I am not looking to play to the base.
As for the gallery, WHEN I get a chance to check the images out, a few things occur. I get intimadated(there are some fantastic artist on here). I like all I check unless, it is something I disagree with.
The problem with all galleries is saturation. There are SO many 3d digital artists, that you would have to be retired and have no other hobbies to check out everything or most of it. Then there is the old, "I can be making art instead of viewing it" feeling where I will be viewing and then say, "Bah I need to make something".
Solutions: I don't like bringing up issues publicly without offering some sort of solution. In this case, more descriptive options may help. For example, I see people on the forum and as far as i know, i have no idea what type of art they make if they do at all. So If there is a way to infor and a better way to catagorize art and the artist, it would help somewhat in getting the viewer to their prferred liking.
My last reason for limited viewing is I am still using DSL. So imagies take time, heck, sometimes just trying to go through the store takes hours. So shopping can be a two hour plus experience.
Here is my feeble attempt to answer your original question(s):
Part #2) I upload my image to the gallery
Motivation: To get a general idea about how I might either be improving or not.
Fulfilment: I definitely feel a bit of fulfillment if my images are liked, or get comments. Without the galleries to upload to, few would ever see what I have made. Putting images in the gallery also forces me to complete projects/images.
I upload my "art" (the term being used very loosely for my stuff) to the gallery here, at DeviantArt (DA), and Renderositiy (Rendo) in part for motivation, in part for some fulfillment, and in part for general feedback. I find it quite encouraging when someone finds my work interesting enough to view, favorite, comment, or like it. My only feedback in real life is my wife. While I greatly appreciate her feedback on my images, it's obviously biased, so additional feedback is always a plus (and I also continually strive to improve based on the techniques and styles shown in the "popular" images and the gallery in general). Posting images provides a feedback mechanism, even if it isn't perfect, it is extremely helpful. When I share an image, I expect nothing. I just hope that someone else finds it worth looking at, and possibly giving a bit of feedback on the image if it inspired them to do so.
Unfortunately, the DAZ galleries don't let you know how many people found your image interesting enough to view, the only feedback is likes and/or comments (which requires more work for the viewer). That is why I post at the other two galleries, as well as here (plus some of my images can not be posted here). Of the three galleries, I find that I get more useful "feedback" at DA. It took a bit more work on my end to seek out groups to submit to on DA, but the effort was worth it for me. It's also helpful to be able to see the types of images people who have liked one of your images tend to like (sometimes a bit disturbing too
.... but that is a completely different story). When one of my images gets liked by someone who predominantly follows a different medium or genre, then I feel like maybe I am actually getting close to real art, where an image resonates with someone, even though it's not the art form/genre they typically prefer. Rendo is good too, but to get "noticed" (i.e. on the trending now list) for more than 1 day, you need to consistently comment/fav other artists, and I'm simply not very social. The DAZ gallery has some awesome work, and my work simply does not compete with the top artists here, and there are so many images posted that mine quickly drop off into obscurity. But I still enjoy sharing my images.
I have considered starting a Art Studio thread, but I'm quite bad about responding, and tend to be a lurker, not a poster (my current work often makes it very difficult to follow the forums for 2-3 months of the year too). From several of the comments here, it sounds like it could be helpful, but I'm still not convinced it would work out well for a forum introvert like me, and it seems my preferred style of render isn't very popular on the forums. Definitely something to think about though, especially for someone who wants to have conversations about their work. Hmmmm..............
There is absolutely nothing wrong with doing as much or as little postwork as you want to. Its your art and there is not restriction on postwork in the gallery. 3d is just another tool to be able to make YOUR vision. Don't let anyone else dictate how you do your art or where you post it. I do a ton of postwork and I'm not the least bit inclined to change that.
You should definitely start a thread... you will get lots of good feedback, and we all understand that life gets in the way on a regular basis. We have other forum introverts that show up when they can and they are generally welcomed back with open arms lol.
Which brings me to another reason I post on my art thread (other than to track my own progress and make an general nuisance of myself). The input and feedback that I get and the help when I run into something I don't understand how to do or if I just need opinions, has been invaluable in improving my art. And I have developed some really good friendships, which is also invaluable because as you said, my only real life person who really pays any attention to my art is my husband, whose eyes glaze over in 30 seconds or less, despite his best efforts to hide it lol. He loves most of my art but then again, he kind of has to.