On-Line Dating

Recently I've been trying on-line dating. I must admit I've had some some limited success, if that's what you call it when you find someone worth going out with several times now, albeit after slogging through dozens and dozens of utterly hopeless candidates.
I've used only two services, and I haven't surveyed them all enough to either plug or pan these two in particular, but I've noticed a couple of things that seem to apply to all on-line dating services.
First, it's really hard for anyone to sound original in a self-description. When asked what's most important in life, guess what? Health, family and friends loom large for pretty much 100% of the populace! And it seems that every last person in the world is looking for a mate with a good sense of humor! Favorite activities invariably include "a quiet evening at home." If these are all the things we're looking for, we should all be able to find a mate just by standing outside the supermarket and waiting for someone to walk by without a wedding ring!
In one area, however, people exhibit quite a range of taste and competence - namely in posting photographs of themselves. I am amazed by how many people post really awful photos of themselves -- awful in a technical sense: too dark, washed out, with the figure so small you can barely make out the subject. Come on, people, surely you have an image that shows your face in adequate light in reasonal isolation - how about that passport photo! (I finally understand why the passport office is so particular in their photo specifications.)
The other popular practice that mystifies me is when people post photos of themseleves with others in the picture. If it's another person of the same gender, which one is you? Even worse, what's the deal with the picture of you snuggling up to your "ex" when you are presumably looking for a new mate? Are we supposed to compare ourselves to the ex and make sure that we match some physical quality or wear the same hat? Or should we assume you're looking for someone completely different?
Still, even a bad photo is better than none at all. With no image posted, the prospective dater can only assume the worst!