I have a question for You!

How do You think I could improve my photography and make my photos more appealing?

I'd love to hear what you think.

I feel myself growing with confidence as a photographer, and I think my photography has dramatically improved, okay so I've sort of turned to portraiture but experimentation is like the definition of art lol, well one of them.
The weird thing is that no one really comments and favourites my photos anymore, and I can deal with it but I miss the constructive criticism people used to give - it used to be extremely encouraging and helpful.
Does this mean, though, that what I thought was wrong, is my photography quality decreasing from what I used to do?
Please help.
I value your opinions greatly.

So for college, I've been having to take photos with a manual camera. I don't mind this at all. I've finally got the hang of a manual camera.
But, we have to process them ourself, I did try by myself and it was bloody awful. My film didn't come out at all and the processing didn't do what it was meant to do.
In conclusion, I don't want to process my own film again cos I know its going to go wrong.
The film was Illford HP Plus 5 with iso 400.
The developer was Neat Xtol.
We also had to use a Stop Bath and a Fix.
I am seriously thinking of making pictures next time with two sets of film, and then getting one done professionally and doing the other one myself and then comparing the results. But I'm not sure yet.

Any advice muchly appreciated.

So I think I've actually got the hang of my SLR, I have read the manual, well most of it, but I found you learn most when you are actually out there taking photos.
I now take photos in manual mode, which is really fun
Although I am thinking of asking for a Macro lens for christmas, I am not sure which one would be best, I own a Nikon D40 and I would take to be able to take great quality close up photos of leaves/flowers/plants etc.
The last three shots I have added were good, although one was blurred slightly where it should have been clear
Oh well..
If you have any advice regarding Macro Lens, I would love to know.

Also I have noticed a number of deviants making photography calendars, I would love to make one but am worried that no one would buy one, so please advise me:
If I made one, would you buy it?
Which of my photos would you like to see in it?

If I don't happen to post over the next couple of weeks,

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year xx

I really want to get into night time photography...
like photographing the stars etc,
I have tried repeatedly with my Nikon D40, my tripod and a remote control,
and so far got one decent photo lol.
Keeps saying its too dark and refuses to go on bulb mode
If you know anything or could give me any advice I would greatly appreciate it.