I think the pictures should compliment the text here on steemit, not be used to tell the story, just my opinion though. I have seen plenty of posts that in my book over use the photos and I don't want to fall into that trap myself. The lack of community over at Sola I think has to do with it being very new, I do notice some folks like the homestead crowd that seem to be circling their wagons and I'm sure others will follow. Personally, I just enjoy flipping through the photos, I don't even hardly read the memes.
It is easy to post photos and if they are willing to throw me a couple nickles for photos I have sitting in a folder on my computer I'll take them.