That's not a good point when you consider the lounge is one of the most frequently visited and posted in sections on this forum, so why does the photo lounge get so little attention?
[Lounge has a high rate of casual chit-chat. Period.]
??? You made the point that this is a fish forum first and foremost to which I responded this^^^. What does the "Lounge has a high rate of chit-chat. Period" have to do with anything or prove? I didn't say it didn't have a lot of chit-chat, so I'm confused by that response. By pointing out the forum is fish oriented first and foremost and then continuing with "The forum isn't an art show." you would seem to be implying that non-fish oriented subject matter(which your point is moot anyway since the pic threads are of fish) should get or expect to get less responses. So I countered by mentioning the Lounge as the Lounge is all about non-fish related subjects so how is your point valid about fish related subjects getting or should understand the lack of responses?
Also as I said properly id'ing a fish is a large portion of the hobby(just look at the tons of the id threads out there) so being able to clearly see all the nuances to differentiate between similar lookingfish(Armatus/ Tats/ ATF's/ Goonch) doesn't help to further a members knowledge? Considering the fact that size and temperament of a fish play a large role in considering stock and the only way to verify a fish id to most hobbyists is sight you don't think a good pic helps in that respect?
[WTHeck? The OP who posts pics needs to introduce those discussion themes, it's not incumbent upon viewers. As my husband has said a trillion+ times during our marriage "Just Tell Me what you want to talk about, I'm not a mind reader"...Have the offended photogs initiated ANY of ^those discussions behind their pictures? ]
The poster just don't post pics, I thought that would go without saying as I've seen you in the Photo Lounge so I imagine you know what a typical pic thread looks like or says in the original posts. Usually it's something along the lines of hey look at my "whatever" tell me what you guys think? etc. I don't think a request for a dialogue or response gets any clearer than that, so it's not quite like a relationship where one maybe irked and expects the other to just know or any other relationship impasse occurs do to non verbalization. For instance my latest pic thread invited people to tell me what they think and to feel free to ask me any questions about the fish or my camera settings. That's not too vague nor does it have an underlying tone implying the reader/viewer has a duty to respond. It just states what most threads do which is try to initiate a transfer or ideas and opinions.
As far as the cell pics being posted with a theme, I am talking about cell phone pics being posted in the same section(Photo Lounge) with no subject [are you saying they're always posted with absolutely NO title or 1st-post statement whatsoever? eh, I rather doubt that is consistently true...but if so, Lots of our threads get no response posts at all] I didn't realize the lengths I had to go to in order clarify The fuzzy cell phone pics post similar original posts to the high quality pic threads yet net more responses. other then the pic getting more responses, the only reason that makes sense to me so far is what houie925 suggested. That perhaps people see the fuzzy cell phone pics(I try not to refer to anyone's effort as crappy though I do falter from time to time) and assume the poster is inexperienced and try to help or make sure the poster is prepared for the future requirements of the posted fish.
Others have suggested adding a discussion or some further interaction as you have and I think it's definitely something to consider and will apply this day forward. Perhaps more outward engagement will garner an increase inward from fellow members. [^That is just Basic Thread Starter 101 ] No, I think asking for opinions is Thread Starter 101 and having to go the extra mile to really try to engage someone because asking for engagement on the subject matter I present isn't enough is something else entirely. Interestingly most of your responses have been suggesting that my thought pattern is unrefined or very basic "Thread Starter 101" for example states that I've overlooked the obvious can I ask isn't there a better way to "prove" your point or explain what you think I should already know the under handed suggestiveness?As far as people being petulant in asking for the removal of their images, I had stated the same thing in my original post(I used petty not petulant) so no disagreement there.
As afar as Mo again I repeat I do not know why he's on here less but I do know he doesn't get many responses. [ I just flat out disagree with you on that. However, Mo can hold up his end of a discussion about any fish he posts, excepting perhaps his For-Hire shoot sessions. He possesses a wealth of fish keeping and breeding experience, and That is why he actually has a large following on MFK] As can I and many of the posters I mentioned can hold up our end of a discussion, are you implying that we can't? No one said Mo wasn't a wealth of knowledge as matter of fact I have said the same in this thread before you just did so again what's your point? And while I know Mo has a lot of admirers/following what ever you want to call it more of those admirers won't reply as is evident in the numbers I showed in regards to his post. Many people will look not many will take the time to respond.He has been averaging 11-20 responses and he makes up at least 3 of them answering a question out of a lot of times 500-700 views. Now as a Mod I can see how many where members and how many where guests that viewed a thread and can even see if they've visited the thread more than once. Which means they appreciate or like the pics but just won't take the time or effort to comment. Is it really so much of a inconvenience to say something nice to someone whose put forth an image you enjoy?
[View count = interest or appreciation. That is "a given" on forums. As for your query, yes it is an inconvenience to comment on every thread I read. They would boot me off here as an annoyance & spammer. I read A LOT, compared to my post count.