Hamltnblue Loc: Springfield PA

Even Bert Monroy's photos you see will be yesterday's story and seen very little before long. Always something new to replace it.
What matters to me and I'm sure others, is that the pics continuously get better.
Even more so is that when I view them, it brings back the memory of being there.
Since getting out and becoming more active with photo's, I've seen and experienced soo much more than I used to. When people comment positively on the individual pics there is more satisfaction in re-living the moment.
So go ahead and portray your vision of the sunset. Just be grateful that because of your hobby you were able to experience that sunset and will be able to do so every time you look at the image.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

The amazing thing about photography is that average, random, unremarkable people can own the best equipment.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

I work with very smart kids three or four days a week in an environment where I've gotten to know them and sort of understand them. One of the things that I've learned is that the boundary between "real" and "fantasy" is getting progressively fuzzier and fainter in their minds. I've spent quite a bit of time in art classes with sophomores, juniors, and seniors in high school, and with very few exceptions, they do not have any constraints around "reality," or very much interest in portraying reality in their work, only their perception of it, which many times can be frighteningly distorted. Even in the face of a very specific assignment, they see no problem with offering a completely fabricated photograph as reality or a doctored photograph as an accurate depiction.

Some of this is a natural part of growing up. Some of it is being indoctrinated that, in effect, "there is no reality." Some of it is just not liking reality as it is. This goes way beyond PhotoShop. Kids have access to and freely use all sorts of software that allows them, without any real "artistic" skill or talent, to easily create these alternative realities.

It may be an overstatement to say that we are seeing the end of photography as we know it. But I will say that many parts of what's going on in today's society and culture are eerily reminiscent of what many of us remember from the late 1960s and 1970s.

Jaksfotos Loc: Surrey UK leatherhead

Totaly agree with you .. its the memories that matter ...jak

Jaksfotos Loc: Surrey UK leatherhead

Its something you see in the heart. and the desire to capture it. jak

Jaksfotos Loc: Surrey UK leatherhead

I had flowers in my hair in the sixties I think some of the roots are growing again. jak

elliott937 Loc: St. Louis

CO, you've cited the reason I won't join the many camera clubs in my area.

Jaksfotos Loc: Surrey UK leatherhead

The revolution has begun two us should do it jak

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

Looks like you have some sort of crises!

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

This is all too funny...

Those who cling to the past want to place guardians at the gate to prevent the gifted from gaining prominence... Anything which might challenge what they have for so long held dear is viewed as a threat to their fragile realities...

Bottom Line? Dean Collins nailed this decades ago...
"Beauty is in the eyes of the checkbook holder" In the end this is commercial photography...

I work primarily in the Fashion Genre... Here agency models are judged aesthetically...

Take a long hard look at yourself standing naked in front of a mirror...
Are you up to agency standards? If not then you might be better served at joining a fitness gym rather than a photography forum...

btw, I collaborate with fashion models constantly and thus have a compelling desire to showcase an amazing physique myself... one to inspiration my team members to strive likewise...

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose...

Fitness and a healthy lifestyle trump nearly all other pursuits... at least in my humble estimation...
All the best on your journey...

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

There are no rules for good photographs, great photographs have just one: the photoshop work is exquisite.

Harry0 Loc: Gardena, Cal

Well yeah!
The thing is, it's not just one thing. It's never really just one thing. This is a cultural thing.
I go to a restaurant. The waitress made coffee. Served me a cup. And three free refills.
I go to Starbucks. I have a Ba-RIST-A. I have to learn all these words. That smarmy fugly kid will switch two words around every single time. "Did you mean ..." Takes 15 minutes.
I go to the 7-11 on the way to the kids. I buy a large coffee and a Lotto. Never took me over 5 minutes.
Kids change their clothes to go to Starbucks. I'm glad I'm wearing clothes at the 7-11. Pajamas, people?
Completely different culture at Starbucks, and it leaks to the outside world.
Goto other shops, there's a lot of workers on their laptops. Goto Starbucks, there's a lot of kids- young and old- just surfing. Getting attention. Taking up space- 1 guy/girl can take up the whole table.
And the Mac folk goto Starbucks. Front and center. The PC guys seem to goto the back of Denny's, etc. Out of the way. Last time at Starbucks, suddenly three Macs are playing the same song out loud. Three sets of big knowing grins. Three sets of little nodding heads. Maybe I'm just too old.

Harry0 Loc: Gardena, Cal

I use PP software to convey the impression I thought I was getting when I took the picture of that subject.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

I learned a lot about lighting from Dean. I miss him. I was a multi-image producer and lecturer, when I went to one of his seminars in 1982. So it was a treat to see his three banks of Hasselblad 2-1/4 square slide projectors! He did gorgeous work, and made effective presentations. And yes, "Beauty is in the eyes of the checkbook holder" was a line he used in his lecture!

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

ROTFLMAO.

Starbucker, Star*ucker, make me a batch
Of over-priced coffee I spill in my lap.

Make it really foamy and serve it too hot,
So I cough it all over the scone that I bought.

Make it too sweet, and make it too fat,
So I have an excuse to use my yoga mat.


(Where are the 'Phlorescent Leech and Eddie' when we need them for some satire?)