Hi ya Ed!
Thanks for responding :)
-> 
-> first, I've noticed that three criteria seem to be *necessary* for passing the
-> "gate" in PhotoSig:
-> 
-> 1. All details in the frame must be *SHARP*!!
-> 
-> 2. *NO* body parts can ever be cropped out!!
-> 
-> 3. There must be one (1) and only one!! Point of interest.

hehehe....you noticed that too eh? 

I don't let the comments on Photosig bother me one way or the
other.  If someone says a picture could have been improved by cropping
something, or removing something, or taking the picture from a better (if
it's possible) angle, then fine.  I'll accept that and take a look to see
if I agree with them or not.  If they complain that
the contrast isn't right, or that the colours are dull, then it's the
difference between my machine and theirs.  If "soft" has to do with
lighting,
then perhaps that's what those people are seeing.  If it has to do with
focus, I'm doing the best I can......after all, both current cameras are
Autofocus.  I know where to point and lock before reframing.

Maybe I'm just presenting the world the way I see it, being that I have an
astigmatism, but don't happen to wear glasses to correct it, the world IS
soft and fuzzy to me.  
-> 
-> All these are, to me, simply elements of composition - each to be used as
-> "tools" in forming the image.  It would be, and IS,
foolish, to  require
-> "sharpness" in a moody, soft photograph taken on a foggy
day; and can be
-> downright UGLY in portraiture.  Lord, haven't these
"critiquers" ever heard of
-> Impressionism?

....I did see a truly beautiful picture of a lake and trees, with a
mountain range in the mist in the background that someone had the nerve to
complain about because the whole thing wasn't sharp and clear. Heck, it was
the difference between the bright clear foreground and the misty background
that made the picture for me! Some folks just have to find something to
complain about, you know.
-> 
-> Now ... "Style".  We all have our individual style, like it
or not. I would
-> suggest that how well we defined that style, how "true" we
are to our own
-> individual "vision" - THAT is the Rosetta Stone of
improving our work.

I know I have a style.  I've been told that I do, on several occasions.  My
point is that I do not know what it is, as I have not "defined" it yet.  I
do what I do, and apparently this so called style shines through.  I'm too
close to my own work to know yet, what it is that others are seeing.  I
have gotten to the point when asked what kind of pictures I shoot, that I
just say "colour".  It IS colour that attracts my eye, not a particular
subject.  Perhaps I can define my "style" as soft and colourful. But then,
who cares as long as I'm having fun. :)



Karen
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