Having been on Pbase for 3 1/2 years this is my view (I was going to say "short view" but I knew it wouldn't be):
I started out wanting criticism or should I say pats on the back - I say this because it is what MOST people here want instead of real criticism, even when they ask for it. Once I got enough pats on the back, which i appreciated, I
wanted to improve ALL ON MY OWN. I looked at work I liked and tried to figure out what appealed to me, etc.
Pbase has never been one for constructive criticism, but on Flickr there are groups you can join where you post a photo and it is rated, or criticized. I realized soon after that I didn't care what people thought I should do to change or "improve" my photo - that I loved what I loved and it was great to have others feel that way but not necessary for me to think my piece of work was good or bad by their standards. Now this didn't come easily. It took years of not having a thick skin and being upset when people i admired did not like my photo. I just suddenly knew I loved what I did, and as Sean said, it has a special meaning to ME which makes it what it is.
On Pbase, I began commenting only on photos that touched me and then the comment was about how the image made me feel. That is important, I think, for the photographer to hear - what emotion the viewer has in reaction to seeing the image.
I can't even imagine wanting someone to mentor me, although I know that others find this helpful. This is not because i think my work is perfect or even close - technically I'm still a goober.
THIS is because the images speak to me and make me feel what I feel. I don't need someone to teach me what my photos should be. And I also don't need to please anyone but myself.
I do not do weddings unless the bride and groom are aware that I shoot what and how i want. Yes, I take ideas they have and yes I do shots they might want, but I tell them off the bat that they need to look at my work and see if it's a style they like - if not, do not hire me. I have never had one couple disappointed in my work because they know what they're going to get.
I no longer sell photos I've taken that were suggestions from gallery owners and others - ones that could bring in the money, so to speak. I was told that, although they loved my more mood-filled photos, they didn't think they'd sell in this area. Well, I did what they suggested and it was dissatisfying. About eight months ago I decided to follow my intuition, because I really don't want to be known as a "boat" photographer, or whatever I think the masses might want.
I was correct. I have been very successful because my energy and emotion is attatched to the images. New agey, yes, but very true.
The bottom line is by doing what others believe follows the rules or makes a photo more appealing to others doesn't necessarily mesh with what I like.
I do photography because I am in love with it.
I do not want to wake up one day and realize it has become a chore.
Are you in love with your work?
Of course, I do have a technical advisor (a friend I trust completely) but even he knows I do what I want. His technical advice (using RAW, fixing noise or avoiding it, etc) is invaluable. He would no sooner tell me when and where to crop than tell me to lighten my photos.
hey wait, he DOES do that ... then we both laugh.