This is lovely Doug and from the bottom of my heart ... thank you. You must know how I feel.

Be well,

Michelle

Doug, a beautiful photo!! As always......

YOU ARE NOT ONLY AN EXCELLENT PHOTOGRAPHER....YOU ARE AN ARTIST!!`......

You have an excellent taste to choice your subjects.....and an exquisite way to execute them!!......top marks!!!

I REALLY FEEL SAD ABOUT YOUR DECISION TO LEAVE THIS PLACE.....YOU ARE ONE OF THE MOST TALENTED PHOTOGRAPHERS HERE.....AND I PERSONALLY THINK YOUR WORKS HAVE ELITE QUALITY!!

I TRULY HOPE THAT YOU WILL RECONSIDER BECAUSE IF YOU RETIRE...YOU WOULD BE A GREAT LOSS FOR THIS PLACE.....

IT IS AN HONOR FOR ME TO RECEIVE THIS DEDICATION... BECAUSE SINCE YOUR FIRST PHOTO... I STARTED TO ADMIRE THE QUALITY AND CONTENT OF YOUR WORKS!!

Carlos

Thank you, Carlos. Sometimes we get into environments that are not a good fit for our personality. It is my own fault. This is a peer-driven website which depends on members critiqueing one another's work. I feel very uncomfortable criticizing work which I do not care for. I don't feel that I am qualified to do so. Of course, I understood the nature of the site when I joined, so, like I said - it's my own fault. I'll be continuing to post at a couple of other websites where peer critique is not the central part of the way that things are run. I wasn't planning on announcing this - I was just going to ride off into the sunset. It's ok that you "outed" me, though. I don't mind explaining myself.

Firt: the pic is so delicate !!!!
Second: I respect any decision and at the same time I agree whith Madanapale !!!
I am not the right person to say if GFX is OK or not.... but I wish you the best with all my heart !!!

The simplicity is beautiful... Great shot...

AND YOU CANT GO YOUR ONE OF MY FAVORITE ARTISTS!

very beautiful picture... again...

Ok, Doug, I heard you're leaving the site...
WHY?
It was yesterday I wanted to leave to, but everyone here convinced me not to...WHY DOUG?

YOU ARE AN ARTIST!
YOU ARE AN EXCELLENT PHOTOGRAPHER!
YOU HAVE A SWEET SOUL!
man you encourage me...
to do more
to give more
to capture the best you can

ok, YOU JUST CAN'T GO!!!
YOU CAN NOT GO!

I am gonna PM Martin to FORBIDE YOU OF LEAVING THE SITE!!!

This is a wonderful photo. I love your work and so many of your photos are in my favorites. You are an excellent photographer and this artwork really is proof of that. Excellent job! I love everything about it. This is another fav of mine!

Stick around too, btw.

- Rene

You and my father are my inspiration of quality, please dont go!
Your photos have a unique quality, you are the only photographer who allways deserves a +10! Please dont Go!
Your fan and admirer
Joe

The flower is beautiful. The picture is also nice

Doug, I realy hope that you do not leave this site, your photos are truly amazing and an inspiration to us all, or at least they are a very strong inspiration to me

Johannes

I want to thank everyone for your nice comments. I want to make something very clear: I do not want anyone to think that I am leaving for any reason other than what I stated above - I am very uncomfortable with making comments about others' work that I may not care for. But it is essential for us to do that in order to make a site like this function properly. If we are not willing to give an honest appraisal - even a negative one (politely, of course), then this type of site does not function correctly and people do not have a chance to grow as artists. I thought that I could do that when I joined, but I have found out that I cannot. I just don't feel qualified. It is my own fault - I put myself into a position that I do not feel comfortable being in.

I know that critiquing is a skill that not everyone is comfortable with Doug. It is something that is learned and requires great care and thought ... at least to do so gingerly without hurting feeling. I often critique work that I don't care for but I will do so in a technical aire to try to help some photographers to improve. It takes patience. But, I understand that it is not for everyone. You of course have my blessing but your decision saddens me especially that we both love the same genre. Our works compliment each other. You will be sadly missed.

Your friend and fellow lover of flora and fauna,

Michelle

umm this image is fine

Hey Doug, Beautiful work as always, you are a very talented photographer, i personally will miss your work and your never ending support and validation. you don't know what it has meant to me. I also respect your decision. whatever you do decide...stay or leave. please pm me and link me to your other sites I would hate to miss your work. thank you for all
Keith

Probably everyone has said everything by the time im writing this message but I really have to say that dont leave. You may not know me but I have been all your works and they inspire me to take more shot....I want to become as good as you someday. Just remember this!
Summer is comming and I like your shots...this one...good colors and nicely done background! I would like to see another shot from you were there would be another flower in the middle of this photo!
Keep your chin up!

Fantastic shot... Nice DOF!

Doug, everything has been said... I think you should not critique other works if you don´t feel like you have to... Just don´t leave us and keep posting your superB artworks... They are inspiring.... It is not only the critiques that inspires and help new photographers to grow... It is beautiful works like this one that makes ppl to try harder on the next shot.. To get a result like yours!!

You know what I mean.. You don´t have to leave just because of that you explained above..
Anyway..

Take care man!! Hope you change your mind

top marks for this!

You works are very good. I have always enjoyed them.

Of Course you could just vote a number and enjoy other works like we enjoy yours.
Cupcake

You leaving! Your photos were the reason I joined this site!

You are more than "Elite" you are a true artist! +10/10

DRDAB99,... come on stay around,... don't take this commenting-part of the site too seriously. If you don't wanna comment, just don't. If would be too bad if you would leave just because of that.

If you still considering to leave, I will hunt you down and I will drag your back here,... keep THAT in mind, DOUG!

Great photo btw

Nothing to crit, excellent! +5/5

Great flower shot +10