Well said.

I am Christian, and I put my faith in God. I have seen first-hand His work. I'll not close my eyes and walk across a busy boulevard, however, because I'd be hit by a car no matter how strong my faith. God may protect us, but not necessarily from folly; to believe otherwise is foolish.

Actually it's either Nihon or Nippon - they're interchangeable. Ever hear of the company Nippon Denso? (Very large Japanese auto parts maker.) Americans call it nip 'n den so, but in Japanese it's knee...pone den so.

Proper pronunciation varies according to the phonetic rules of the language in which it is spoken. In Japan, the country of origin, Nikon is pronounced "knee-cone" and Nippon is pronounced "knee.....pone" (brief pause preceding a double consonant, and yes, I speak Japanese fluently).

It's interesting that foreign names for Japanese brands aren't always the same as the Japanese company name. Many of us remember Datsun, but the cars were always Nissan in Japan. The Panasonic name was created because the Japanese company name of "National Electronics" (I'm not kidding) did not sound Japanese enough. Mazda is a short name for Matsushita because Matsushita is too difficult for us dumb Americans (not to mention the embedded vulgarity).

Croce,
I wanted to be done with this, but for your benefit I will address a couple of your comments. Maybe later when your panties aren’t in such a bunch you’ll calm down and listen to reason. You are old, so I would have expected more maturity than a resort to name calling. Now, lest you think I called you names, read again – I did not; rather, I accurately described you as arrogant, callous, and pretentious, based on your posts. You cannot deny that this describes your awful attitude, and you should apologize but I know you won’t – at least not sincerely.

Regarding critiquing, most people will mention what is good about someone’s work along with what can be improved (I know, you could not because there was nothing redeeming about my crappy and snotty work, right?) I suspect that’s why you are deluded into thinking that your self-described “first class praised art” that you posted somewhere is masterful, and I’m willing to bet nobody used words like “snot” or “crappy” because we normal people don’t do that. We don’t critique with a childish agenda, Croce. Moreover, a critic should know things like the difference between color shift caused by distance/UV/humidity and that caused by improper WB or “grease or snot.” Now, who should teach whom about critiquing? Not someone who knows everything, as you do, and most certainly a teacher is not someone who thinks a good photo can’t be taken without expensive equipment, one who thinks that low-end cameras are toys, one who allows emotions to cloud what poor judgment he has to begin with. You are not a critic; you are a laughable disparager.

In pathetic desperation, you searched my history to find something to use against me. Wow. I guess I owe you an apology for ruffling your feathers so. Anyway, the public-domain shot of a well was a joke, and now I guess I must tone down such difficult humor for the benefit of those who just don’t get it. No offense, of course, but was your mind sharper in your younger days? Seriously.

We should spare others our nonsense, and as I said, I’m through with you. Alas, I sense that yet another character defect in you is an overwhelming need to have the last word, so go ahead – I can take it; vilify me to your heart’s content and I will not reply publicly no matter how desperately you need to hear what I have to say. Despite your best efforts to belittle my work and personally demean me, and your name calling, I am unscathed. Notice that while my remarks might hurt your feelings (though you will deny it), they are nothing if not objective responses to your own words, and not just playground insults. I hope you will find some benefit from these remarks, Croce. Lord knows, you need it.

Croce, you almost got it, so I see you do know a little bit about photography. Thanks for the critique, and here’s my take: Composition in #1 needs cropped to remove a distracting sky, and exposure in #2 needs post work to lighten the trees in the middle (you missed those.) Otherwise, comp & exp are arguably excellent, the redeeming qualities of these snapshots. Oversaturation is intentional (photographic license); nature doesn’t necessarily mean natural, and it is a matter of preference (this is where redundancy that was discussed earlier in this thread comes in - to get a consensus.) Slow shutter on #1? Not a chance; the images aren’t very sharp because they were shot on a 10MP p&s with probably about 8MP true rendering. Shallow DOF, seriously? One thing a p&s does well is deep DOF! (What pictures were you looking at? I see depth of field of a few feet to infinity.) Finally, white balance on #3 is fine. Purple mountains majesty, right? Haven’t you ever seen a purplish distant mountain? Moreover, the effect was exacerbated by high June humidity.

Frankly, I’m surprised you took the bait. I chose these imperfect snapshots to elicit a response, and you miserably failed my little test. You demonstrated knowledge of terms, but limited understanding. I think all would agree that your odd insult and dismissal of a person who had not the financial means to buy a DSLR shows how arrogant and callous you are. This forum does not discriminate based on equipment, nor financial means! Remember, I posted two-year-old snapshots I took with a low-end camera. Like it or not, I will post more pictures regardless of what equipment I shoot with and I will ask for critiques, but from people who know this trade and not from someone just pretending, who thinks that high-priced equipment makes a photographer. Now you’ll be known for what you really are. Yes, Croce, “it is what it is” – good work despite second-rate equipment. But you are what you are, sorry as that seems to be. Thanks – a fitting end to our “discussion.”

I thought so. (And all of those credentials don't give you credibility.)

Alright Croce, how about you teach me something. I have Zion, Bryce, and Grand Canyon National Parks on my mind because my scout troop is going there next week. I'll post a few snapshots from a couple years ago, taken with a trusty ol' Oly p&s. I think I know what is good and bad about them, and I could teach someone that -- but I don't know everything, as some people think is necessary in order to teach something to someone else.

Money/mouth time, Croce. Critique these please.

Zion N.P.


Bryce Canyon N.P.


Grand Canyon N.P.

Croce (or is it crotchety),
That is a pretty arrogant statement, one which I'm sure you cannot back up. Are you so good that you have nothing left to learn? You display your lack of knowledge making such an inane statement. We normal folk do learn from teaching others. We will see things from a different perspective, or perhaps consider something we hadn't thought of before. Sometimes we even have to look something up to make sure we offer a correct answer.

Mr. Goode did not deserve your derisive remarks, but you earned being called crotchety.

Good point.

People, this topic is getting too much attention. I'm a newbie and I love this forum. I get a daily email with a link to new topics, and I click on most of them. At a glance I know if I am interested, so no time wasted.

I was once a self-described expert with film SLRs, but I have been stuck with p & s cameras for a while (it's amazing what can be done with a decent p & S in the right hands!) I have learned much from this forum about DSLRs and thanks largely to this forum, I've decided to buy the Sony a77. I also think I've contributed a tad with humor and because much of what I know transfers to digital photography. I appreciate the forums, AND THE REDUNDANCY! So what if many people post similar opinions on a topic. I often like to know that an opinion is shared by many before I put much stock in it -- photography, after all, is an art so it's all about subjective opinions.

qwong1 and wlgoode - I think many people reply with the same answer because there is not always a right or wrong, and we may decide something from knowing of a consensus. I wouldn't necessarily believe something just because one person said it, especially if it involves subjective matter.

The well or the humor?

is this well done?

You mean like this?

BTW, does "MT Shooter" mean you've had a vasectomy?

I had said that his thing looked like a battery converter. Read the thread.