I want to first say thank you to my fellow FM'ers I have enjoyed my time reading and posting to this forum. I think it is time for me to move and enjoy my hobby without the feedback, critiques, comments, etc. I find I spend more time on here asking for feedback rather than out taking pics and having fun doing so. I do not make a living with photography as it is just a enjoyable hobby for me. After posting on here numerous times I feel it is not necessary to get others approval on feedback for pictures that I make to hang on my wall. There are a few fellow FM'ers such as Karl Witt, Morris, Dick on Aruba, Trenchmonkey and Harshai 1, etc that have really helped me and to yall I am very appreciative. I will leave ya with my last 3 flower shots, Good luck to all and most of all have fun taking pictures.

Ahh, don't say 'last' buddy, stop back anytime and share with us some of your favorties I am flattered by you mentioning me, it is always good to know that much of nits and commenting are taken in a positive constructive way

You are correct that the forum can be a time bandit and that shooting pictures is certainly more fun.............most of the time It's good to hear that your will be pursuing your hobby, you have made wonderful improvements and I am certain that more shooting will even teach you more and provide more visions to come.

Thanks Mark, glad to have shared and exchanged the floral side of things, take good care and do stop back once in a while if possible

KarlA

Nice solid threesome to part with, exposure and colors as well as comps are pleasing

Hey Mark, nice parting shots
If you're headed to Bosque del Apache this Fall, I'll get ya some #'s for a beer.

No thank you for all of your help. It has been a pleasure I will check in maybe once every couple of months, but like they say the only way to improve is practice and shoot as much as possible. I need to spend more time in the field and environment as I feel that will teach me more than just posting on a forum everyday. Like I said what is a hobby if you do not enjoy it. Take care and I am outta here........

Wishing you the very best of enjoyment in your photography in the future Mark and I do hope you will stop by from time to time.
Martin

Hey Monkey I will take ya up on it, as a matter of fact in August I am up for a 12 day vacation and I am eyeing a trip to Durango Colorado for a bit of R&R and I will surely have my 5D, backpack and laptop with me. Also I have enjoyed your pics your one Hell of a Photographer keep up the excellent work.

Mark,

sorry to see you go. I almost did the same thing - - leave after a very short time due to some harsh critique I got in the beginning. But a very generous Dave In LA sent me an encouraging PM & I chose to stay..... I'm a far better photographer for it.

I am sorry you feel this way - but I've been there & I do understand. Critique can be very hard to take. It can also be helpful & educational - - but it can just as well almost kill a joy for a hobby. A woman on another board almost did that to me. I was beside myself for weeks & barely wanted to touch a camera ever again. But finding some buddies to go shooting with & then getting just some simple support & positive feedback turned things around for me.

This is a lovely set & I like the first two a lot. Problem with critique is not always beneficial.....

I'm going to leave you with a near quote from a cute movie......

It's goes something like this.....

"In a way the life of a critique is rather easy - we risk little & get a lot out of the destruction of others."

When I went to film school back home I was thought something I feel all critiques should be taught, but are not.....

It is easy to find a lot of things wrong & complain about them. But nothing is totally wrong. Just as nothing is totally right. So - if something is bad & you don't like it - take the time out to focus & find something - - anything - - which you like about it. Always.... If something is wonderful & great, was there something you would have done differently or could have seen done better.... point that out as well. Always weigh your positive & negatives as nothing is ever perfectly one thing or another.

About a year ago someone here wanted us to make the whole forum a forum where we gave points for each & every shot. There are a lot of those forums. I simply stated that if the forum turned that way - then I would leave. That's not what I'm here for.

I try to only leave positive input on what is good about a shot or that I overall like/love a series. I don't like to nitpick. It's not my way. About my own photographs maybe - but not others. Drives me out of my mind. Personally I thrive on feedback which stresses that which I've done right - that I can build on as I can from there see where to push & in what direction. That helps me.

Also, lets not forget that different people like different types of photography. I post in a special thread every Wednesday on another board. If I post a bird photo then a certain group of people may comment on my photo. If I post something else I'm pretty much ignored. Most do not do bird photography & have no idea of how hard it can be. How hard we work at getting a specific shot. It's discouraging to say the least. Every time I try a landscape photo I think may be in the right direction - - it simply is ignored. It's nothing "special"...

So - I do see where you're coming from & how this can be hard. But we are trying to help - do not do this for us. This is supposed to be for you & be fun. The minute it's not - go away.....

I do hope you change your mind, but that's your prerogative. If ever in L.A., let me know. I'll be glad to go out shooting with you....

Lil

Great set, well done

GO!!!...and do your thing! Remember us so now and then and make us happy with showing us some results along your journey.

Let your journey be driven by luck and inspiration!

It has been a pleasure sharing with your Mark. The first photo here is my favorite of the set. I hope your enjoy the time you get back and please consider stopping in now and them.

Morris