Firstly, thanks to everyone who has taken the time to comment on a photo. Thanks to all my contacts for being great photographers and generally great people.

But the backlash has begun. I am not withdrawing from the race, I am changing the rules.

Because instead of growing as a photographer, I have been regressing. Populism replacing quality. Oh-so Web 2.0. Sorry guys, I'm on Web 2.1, and it's great to be here.

Until today I have been playing by the rules imposed on me by Flickr, rules designed to grow Flickr as a business, as a juicy target for advertisers. Judging other members not by the quality of their photos, but by the number of their comments. Random comments in order to fulfill a "post1/comment3" rule of some group. I know, because I'm guilty too.

It's nice when people exclaim their appreciation of a photo of mine, but when they don't, I shouldn't notice. Flickr has turned this on it's head. I only notice when people DON'T comment. I post more photos of the type that people comment on, trying to elicit more comments. Taking photos with Flickr in mind, rather than achieving a goal of my own.

From this point on, I am placing Flickr where it should always have been - as a tool, as a blank wall from which to hang photos I particularly like, for myself.

In future, my photos will be open to comment only to my friends. If you really like my photos, you can add me as a friend, and I'll be delighted and happy.

I really do hope you like my photos - but if you don't, that's ok - because I like my photos.