You do share great photography, and it will stand on its own merit.  

But not everyone who shows up here is capable of creating good content at the beginning, and communities like this one also help people to learn formatting, writing styles, etc.  I even had one of my posts checked for grammar, and spelling for example.  Minnowsupport doesnt just throw around SP, they also teach people how to post better content.

You are also forgetting that Steemit is a social media site.  If you have nobody seeing your content, it doesnt matter how good it is, you simply will not be rewarded.

Think of PAL as a marketplace, or a gallery.  Sharing your work in the PAL discord channel opens it up to more viewers the same way that hanging your art in a gallery gets more exposure than hanging it in your living room. 

If someone chooses to come and hang out there they aren't gaining an unfair advantage, they are simply putting more tools in their toolbox...