I use the 'Like' but to acknowledge that I like a photo when I don't have anything to say beyond that. Sometimes it is just, yes, I like it.
I would rather some of that on any of the images I (very rarely post) post rather than nothing at all, but only if someone feels they truly like it, rather than FB/FlickR/500px type thing where it it seems to be a 'like' swapping endeavour, or blanket likes for certain people for anything they may post because they are a 'friend' regardless of the merits of the image. But, if no one wished to say anything about an image, or post a like, so be it. That also says something about the image posted.
I don't know the feasibility of it, or even it would be a wise thing, but maybe a views counter on a post/page could be implemented. If I say post an image, and the picture gets 200 views and no comments or 'Likes', that tells me one thing. If I post an image and I can see it got 10 views, 2 comments and 4 'Likes', that tells me something else. Of course some people could take having a large number of views, with no comments or likes very negatively.

So if it were possible to do, it would have to be a considered move.
I may think differently to most, but if I am posting an image because I like it, for whatever reason, nobody else liking it does not make me like an image any less. I'm aware some people's view on their own work may be seen to a larger or lesser degree through the 'lens' of others comments or likes. I've always said that unless you are trying to sell images primarily, the only person who has to be happy with the image is you.
I also use the 'Like' button to show appreciation of humour or surprise in a posting away from image postings. I have also been using it in a thread that I started to acknowledge that a post has been seen and read by at least one person, to encourage more people to comment and interact, as imho there is nothing worse that thinking you are posting to no one. I take a long time doing some posts, and it is nice to know that someone is actually appreciating what I am doing, or at least seeing it, or am I just doing it for no reason, because no one is actually seeing it!

And I have to say the thread seems to have been more active than last years version of the thread, so in my mind at least it has worked to some degree.
Just my 'thoughts' on the 'Likes'.
