Any thoughts on edits like these, or why anyone would wedge large stones into tree crotches?
Great conversation James, we all live in a new age where anything goes. As far as documentary work, I lean on the keep it real side. I think if you are a photographer you look to the tools you have and have to decide whether you prefer reality or something altered. If you are an artist then you work to the creative vision you have in your head.
Then there are techies and gear heads (no offense intended as I am clearly part gear head get caught up in the technology and sometimes scoff at the idea of using inferior gear, a notion greatly created by advertising and reviews.
This forum and the family we have become sometimes drives my decisions as well. Sometimes it drives extra cost to make sure you are using qualifying gear (aka Nikkor Glass). No complaints on this front for me, we not only have Nikkor GAS but we are so much more than that and we protect a legacy and have fantastic times while we are doing it!
Me, I don't get too mired in being told what to do, aka latest camera arrived today and I blame George for it for his excellent samples here and being someone I trust in our family here. The battery is charging right now, then the learning begins and more glass for it comes between now and xmas.
My Z7 is up for sale and the D500 is next. Ironically I still love my DF most, followed by my D850. I feel sad sometimes when I think of the thought of DSLRs dying off.
In closing, match the goal to your tools, decide what your shooting for, you the Artist, the documenter, or as a photographer which we all have inside ourselves here!
