We use Free-Sat.... Ignore recording the crap and Zip through the adverts..when there is conflicting programs watch iplayer.

No matter what people do to 'help'.....there are those who feel that help is unwarranted.
Not everything in life is Political...nor to do with Nationality or Religion.

Medication is now universal...few people know where their drugs origin, never mind who receives them. But ALL of us at some time need to read the instructions.

So sad that 'Divide and Conquer' still plays a major part in modern life.

Many of the 'Famous' photographers put their success down to being in the right place at the right time - swinging 60's, Beatle Mania, The Hollywood Ladies etc. Plus there was a 'shortage' of pictures of famous people for the media scramble.

Now, as you suggest: The media such as it is, can get a stock image virtually to meet every occasion. The Internet has created virtual tours of great landmarks once only visited by the rich and famous or by 'location' photographers. The last bastion of photography - aerial landscapes can now be produces by anyone.

So we return to the original days of photography - when it was a hobby or interest to the individual....What they produced in their lifetime probably only became of public interest after their death!

If we are not going to become famous through photography, we can still strive to become 'the best we can' simply for our own pleasure and interest. is that less important?

I think the act of photography - looking, journeying to, spending time contemplating 'where you are' and having proof of where you have been and when - are sufficient to offer people a worthwhile pursuit. - well it beats collecting stamps !

Never mind competition - it drives innovation.... hence the plethora of modern cameras and programs

have fun

Better ? subjective...The image taken wasn't necessarily of great merit.
Raw V JPEG is also subjective....generally both need post processing, if only to get an image onto a PC.

How good an image can you take ? ie are you happy with 90% of your JPEGS.
Are you competent in Post Processing beyond Crop, Straighten and adjusting mid tones?
Are you particularly interested in exploring the creative power of Post Processing per sec in addition to Photography?

The degree of Post Processing you do is totally 'Your choice'....and like in camera use, the more you can do well - the more options you will explore. Your success will still be judged 'subjectively' .

With every tool in the program you use the limitations, and possible changes increases. How well can you judge this and will others agree with your judgment.

There is no 'better' - but there is a choice you can make 'for YOU'.

have fun

Perhaps she didn't want to get into the slanging match about 'who's ailments are the worst'. Few women can resist 'topping' even complete strangers with their aches and pains.

She is fine because at 91 there are very few fatal conditions you need to worry about.

For Scotland you are coming into the Midge season....take insect repellent
For Iceland.....take plenty of money.

have fun

With all of the wierd people you see on the streets - why would you have to hide aliens...?

As to all those 'important' things in the world.....exactly how many really affect you? Or are likely to..? People can live their lives without worrying about 'everything'.

The major issues today all become little footnotes in history. Few 'important players' get a mention.

As you get older - you don't get wiser.....you just stop having to 'have' an opinion.

If it sounds like b***sh*t it will amuse a few people for a while and do no great harm.

Just smile....it annoys the hell out of people!

Looks like Lanlandi - which in the uk is used as a hedging plant but will grow tall as a single tree. Crushed leaves have a resinous smell and the branches are very springy. Lots of people get an irritation when they come into contact with it.
possibly wrong and the spelling may be incorrect, but having cut lots this weekend....it do look like it.
george

YOU may have needed a second opinion as to 'how' well you were after your accident. The camera just needs to be used in order to check it works.

If you want a new camera...just drop it from a greater height BUT don't accompany it on the way down!!!!

have fun

You have to understand: Just like a tree makes a noise when it falls in a forest and there is no-one there to listen....That fantastic picture appears whether a photographer is there or not.

Life needs participants - not an audience.

Have fun

Nurturing is a feminine trait. Men would tell a child once and expect them to do it thereafter. Women understand that children need constant telling.

Therein lies the problem...Men never grow up, they just get older. Women continue to nurture when their only 'child', is their husband.

Women don't like their Mother In Law because there are 'nurture' differences. Men love their Mother's because they contradict their daughter in law. BUT they left home to get away from her.

Once men leave home...they can generally cope OK. Once they realise that they can think and do for themselves.

Nurturing should have a 'cut off point'. Sadly nature does not work that way!

have fun

Well that's a good enough reason! When you have to use manual focus....

A lot of people here get hung up on 'manual' as if it gives one more kudos. My attitude is use what you are most successful with, when you can. But, there are times when 'the tech' isn't available.

have fun

As I understand it - pumping oil out of the grounds leaves a void - which may or may not collapse (like mines) fracking involves pumping water to wash up oil (it floats) up to the surface leaving water filling the voids..as an aquifer...less likely to collapse but MORE likely to contaminate the natural water table that we drink from.

Check that your camera MODEL is listed as being supported..Ufraw or Rawtherapee is often the first to be updated - if you are clever in 'terminal' you may be able to add your model spec to the appropriate file or just remove your copy and download a newer version.

Raw files 'look wrong' in all converters - some have a 'different start point' than others and sometimes there is a color hue difference. Also check that you have not clicked on a menu option to 'highlight image differences'. You are going to adjust the image in any case so 'play away'.
In all cases - your 'end point' should be 'as you see it' ....then comes the age old argument about 'how it prints' and screen/printer calibration. Working on a lap top also adds problems with how the screen is tilted and back lit.

With Linux, all software is shareware (free to use) so look at the options available in your 'Mint' repository first before looking in arch Linux...(not all works 'out of the box' in all Linux flavors). CR2 like jpg is often supported. Or a simple 'Save as' will give you a file extension that is....not all programs use the same tools....sometimes you can find some 'really neat' effects in a different program (without having to learn lots).

Learn to look at the jpg image and decide what needs changing BEFORE opening the raw file.....it can save to time and effort. Raw processing can give you some really weird effects.

have fun

Why in manual ? center spot or matrix would have put something in sharp focus. Aperture mode may have improved the depth of field or add shape to the bright points of light to the right. (Bokeh ish)

just my thoughts