Quote Originally Posted by kiley9806 View Post
"To make matters worse, this is considered a cliché shot by judges in high level evaluations and does not achieve any measure of success and I know that from the personal experience of having submitted similar shots a few decades ago. - Tegan"

i dont see how this is a relevant critique when paulalynn has stated that she is not a professional, and so probably not entering this type of shot on any kind of "high level evalution", and is more than likely using it as a learning tool. i find this type of critique to be discouraging to us newbies, more of a pat on your own back. the contrast comment was all that needed to be pointed out.
My comment applies to the learning tool approach as well, since even camera clubs take this view. Photography at any level is learning what to shoot and how to shoot it for maximum effect and visual impact. Only someone who is unwilling to learn the what to shoot part would consider it discouraging. As a matter of fact, false encouragment does more a disservice than an honest critique.

Tegan