Great Image,. We live part time in China and eat a lot of duck BUT this one is very safe ....:-) .Peter

The dynamism in the #1 is not apparent in #2 but as mentioned earlier the muscular structure of the horse is interesting in #2. Hey just keep both!!! .Peter

I do not wish to pry into your financial situation and perhaps you are selling for financial reasons. Here is a possible idea for you. I use two cameras for the following reasons. On one I put my 24-70 mm (wide angle lens) on the second my 70-200 (telephoto). This way when I'm out shooting I do not have to swap lens and perhaps miss a shot. Furthermore, in case one camera breaks down I have a second one. This actual did happen to me. The mirror box froze. I have a carrying sling (and there are many on the market) that I can hitch the cameras on and it is not cumbersome. If you are using multiple lenses, instead of taking a loss on your camera you will get to use it for perhaps many more years. Hope this helps. Peter

I think the general consensus is that a professional is a person whose primary full time occupation is photography. I agree with many 100% that it's not a reflection on how competent they are. So I guess that by such definition I'm a pro. BUT my press ID says "Photographer", likewise my biz card. I teach and would never ever refer to my students which spans all age groups, as "Amateurs", I always address them as photographers. Like it or not there is a wiff of being not up to snuff in the amateur appellation.

Hi Peggy, I'm new here too. Here is a tip that I hope helps. No doubt that since the origins of photography there has always been a lab dimension. Today, instead of a wet lab we have LR and of cause Photoshop. Now our cameras have also evolved to the point that when we know how to use them properly, you can avoid having to do too much post work by getting your shots as close as you want. For example, in camera cropping meaning get your angle of view as close as what you need, using manual to get correct exposure almost every time, keeping your camera straight... Etc. Now by getting your shot in camera as close to what you want you will save oodles of time in front of your computer and have more time to be out having fun with your camera. Now an other benefit is that if you have taken a really good shot, you can then play with it in LR changing filters or whatever you want to get creative but from a good starting point. Enjoy. Peter

What this boils down to is if you are happy with using only Auto that's fine. For those that want to learn and desire to explore the wonderful opportunities of your no doubt expensive camera possess thats fine too. I have been a photographer for over 65 years. My uncle was a well known English photographer and I worked in his darkroom and got giftted his obsolete cameras. Started with a brownie box. So I have lived the evolution up to my current Canon DX. If you wish to believe me or not that's ok but sticking rigidly to auto you will never reach your potential as a photographer. If you wish to stay at that level fine it's absolutely not my place to preach to you. I think many people on this forum really want to gain knowledge, otherwise why bother. It is to those folks that I have made this post. I invite you to see my website, not one of the shots in the gallery was in auto, it would have been impossible and you will see why especially the dans ears on stage.
www.peter-photos.com

Cheers Peter

Ron, excellent synopsis of the situation. Peter

Bob, I smiled when I read your post about nobody asked what mode you used. Reminds if a tale that is told about a meeting between Earnest Hemingway and Ansel Adams. They were having coffee and Hemingway said to Adams., "Ansel, I just love your photos, what camera do you use? ". After a moments thought Adams answered, "well Earnest I have to tell you that I have read and enjoyed all your books, what typewriter did" you use? " Probably not true but a good reflection on what you are saying. Cheers Peter

This is a debate that will never end. Experienced photographers who have spent the necessary time to understand their camera have no problem in predicting their settings and can find them without moving his/her eyes from the viewfinder. To get to that point think of a pianist. They spend years learning and practicing. Do they look at the keys when they play? No, they know exactly where they are. The issue as pointed out by a number of folk in this forum is people expect that everything should be ticky boo in auto. I photograph performing arts.. Dance.. Theatre. Now try shooting that in auto. Flash is a no no as it can distract the performer (we only shoot at dress rehearsals), I need hi speed to freeze action, varying the aparture depending on the DF I need, rapid change to the point of focus I want oh did I mention that the lights are constantly changing. I'm also a photo journalist so great variety from street shots, meetings...etc. As you can see I have a very varied portfolio. I have learned when a particular function or setting is appropriate for my needs. It is very rare I can rely on auto. Even my smartphone has some basic compensation since it is smart enough that its designer must have realised its auto doesn't always give you a decent shot. So if you want to be an accomplished photographer be like the good worker who has a tool box and he knows which one is appropriate for the job. It's like one of the sayings we had in the Navy, what you don't know won't hurt you because it will probably kill you. People who go on and on asking why they cannot just use only auto is because I believe it to be a lack of knowledge. If they have the patience to preserve and learn to be able to manipulate their equipment rapidly they will come to appreciate how wonderful our modern cameras are and will enrich their experiences and artistic accomplishments. I use to teach and I get emotional when after a number of years a number of my students exhibit and sell their work. I recall when they could barely load the batteries in. If you were to ask them if they use auto very much their answer us why would I, I don't often get as good a shot as I do in manual. Ironic since a number of folks have answered the question the other way round. Sorry about this long post but I would say that you should do what ever works for you and have fun not matter what I or others say. Cheers peter

I don't think it's a black and white answer. Some, a title may help, for example, a landscape ; sure it does not distract from the image with or without a title but a viewer may want to know where it is. Some times the image is the message. In a camera club I judge at we had a delightful picture titled "Lady in green hat", well the real object of interest was not the small insignificant hat but the necklace she wore. The ensure storm if discussion was all about the title and little discussed about the image.... Go figure. You have to love the diversity as photographers in the world we live in. 🤣🤣

This is great shot. A small suggestion to tweak it a little. Can you dodge in PS the blown highlight on the bottom left of the frame around the paws. It's a little distractive. Also the orange stringy line in the centre right use the content heal or clone to cover it up. But, gentle gentle. It's a great shot... I could be tempted to buy it and hang it on my wall.

I agree she most certainly count on my support. I think there is a little frustration here. I think all those that are posting really do want to help and we need to clear up the confusion.

Agreed, but I did see the pattern you get from the lens iris a bit like the bokha effect. There may be multiple issues not one or as an other person has suggested this is a prank as there is so much confusion and contradiction information.

I agree with you. I'm also confused. I see what could be dust plus what could also be lens flair as mentioned by an other gentleman. Then multiple cameras!!!

Just remembered this as a way to determing if you do have dust. Take the cameras outside and find a patch of blue sky. Take a shot. The automatic focusing system will probably hunt so switch to manual focus since there is nothing to focus on. Dust spots will show up doing this. Some of the artifacts I can see but not all do seem to suggest dust. You may have more than one problem.