Hi Anita,
I'm not a good herd member and don't feel a need for sharing my work either. I uploaded a few photos here about 20 years ago, but none since. What keeps me coming back is the flow of ideas and members who share willingly their incredible depth of photographic knowledge.
I will advocate for the idea of having a one person show in a local museum or gallery.
We tend to photograph on our own and work on our images one at at time. Seeing them in their finished & framed state, sequenced properly and hanging in a gallery is a uniquely powerful way to see things in your work like successes, failures or future possibilities. Try to arrange some time before opening night to have the space all to yourself, so you can move around the room and drink it all in.
One thing I've found about other peoples opinions is that for the most part, they don't sway me one way or the other. Occasionally, one will sting...I've found those to have a kernel of truth which needs to be explored and have kickstarted new ways of seeing.
Big wave and a welcome aboard from me, way out here on BC's north coast
I would mostly agree, but also add everyone is different. When a photographer is true to oneself and believes the work, nobody will sway their opinion of own work. But that is not same as saying gearing others comment may not have important impact.
Problem with opinions is that not everyone is honest, some tend to sugarcoat just to be nice, not everyone can actually make a thoughtful comment, even if they are themselves doing well in the field.
Some do well on their own and find other opinions more of a distraction and quit sharing, some actually need others give input.
For
@AHL I would say try to share here, see what happens and how you respond, and most importantly take all comments with some grain of salt. By trying, you may come across a person or few you will find good connection with. In that case you can move on to more private messaging here, or connect by others means if it is helpful.