Creative Photography 🌵hread v11: Shoot to Kill

[Thomas45]

^ The first two really do it for me. ^

[url=https://flic.kr/p/ZdGttJ][img]https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4567/37556030644_9027e625fc_c.jpg[/img][/url][url=https://flic.kr/p/ZdGttJ]Leaf Path, West Windsor[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/nj-nixon-photography/]Nathan Nixon[/url], on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/21dDiWY][img]https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4557/38211770016_6035d4f8b3_c.jpg[/img][/url][url=https://flic.kr/p/21dDiWY]Leaves, West Windsor[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/nj-nixon-photography/]Nathan Nixon[/url], on Flickr

[ignhelper]

Maybe you guys like more outrun style stuff from Taipei

[url=https://flic.kr/p/ZdMdsb][img]https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4528/37556955654_dc9bb30d40_z.jpg[/img][/url][url=https://flic.kr/p/ZdMdsb]IMG_7331.jpg[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/132428006@N07/]Ngoh shian Bang[/url], on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/21fNZcY][img]https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4570/38236291082_8124db98a9_z.jpg[/img][/url][url=https://flic.kr/p/21fNZcY]IMG_7419.jpg[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/132428006@N07/]Ngoh shian Bang[/url], on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/21fS7A9][img]https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4561/38236901252_1bd6de54e7_z.jpg[/img][/url][url=https://flic.kr/p/21fS7A9]IMG_7413.jpg[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/132428006@N07/]Ngoh shian Bang[/url], on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/ZdSHuE][img]https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4548/37558028914_ae4b141627_z.jpg[/img][/url][url=https://flic.kr/p/ZdSHuE]IMG_7280.jpg[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/132428006@N07/]Ngoh shian Bang[/url], on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/21dSxeJ][img]https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4581/38214351176_bcc34bf4e3_z.jpg[/img][/url][url=https://flic.kr/p/21dSxeJ]IMG_7293.jpg[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/132428006@N07/]Ngoh shian Bang[/url], on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/21fYNKW][img]https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4577/38238207052_6173759790_z.jpg[/img][/url][url=https://flic.kr/p/21fYNKW]IMG_7340.jpg[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/132428006@N07/]Ngoh shian Bang[/url], on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/Gn9Hfc][img]https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4554/26493616779_4fcba948cf_z.jpg[/img][/url][url=https://flic.kr/p/Gn9Hfc]IMG_7345.jpg[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/132428006@N07/]Ngoh shian Bang[/url], on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/Gn9LK8][img]https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4535/26493628549_9b2d64747a_z.jpg[/img][/url][url=https://flic.kr/p/Gn9LK8]IMG_7378.jpg[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/132428006@N07/]Ngoh shian Bang[/url], on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/21iNfje][img]https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4564/38270096281_e6db962ae9_z.jpg[/img][/url][url=https://flic.kr/p/21iNfje]IMG_7391.jpg[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/132428006@N07/]Ngoh shian Bang[/url], on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/ZdYBCN][img]https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4542/37559179874_ba75246ec7_z.jpg[/img][/url][url=https://flic.kr/p/ZdYBCN]IMG_7395.jpg[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/132428006@N07/]Ngoh shian Bang[/url], on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/ZdYFLY][img]https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4580/37559193804_3062b3fda6_z.jpg[/img][/url][url=https://flic.kr/p/ZdYFLY]IMG_7404.jpg[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/132428006@N07/]Ngoh shian Bang[/url], on Flickr

[lope]

I had to shoot a narrative for class,
[URL="https://flic.kr/p/21iPpqP"][IMG]https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4578/38270322051_fc20796f33_z.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

[url=https://flic.kr/p/GnvsmT][img]https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4564/26497664059_d796314fa6_z.jpg[/img][/url]

[Guldfisk]

[QUOTE=Ignhelper;52869783]Maybe you guys like more outrun style stuff from Taipei
[/QUOTE]

Yes I am totally loving those colours! First one is the best on in my opinion, but I like them all really.

[➤◉──────────]

[QUOTE=Ignhelper;52869783]Maybe you guys like more outrun style stuff from Taipei

[url=https://flic.kr/p/21fS7A9][img]https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4561/38236901252_1bd6de54e7_z.jpg[/img][/url][url=https://flic.kr/p/21fS7A9]IMG_7413.jpg[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/132428006@N07/]Ngoh shian Bang[/url], on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/Gn9LK8][img]https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4535/26493628549_9b2d64747a_z.jpg[/img][/url][url=https://flic.kr/p/Gn9LK8]IMG_7378.jpg[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/132428006@N07/]Ngoh shian Bang[/url], on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/21iNfje][img]https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4564/38270096281_e6db962ae9_z.jpg[/img][/url][url=https://flic.kr/p/21iNfje]IMG_7391.jpg[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/132428006@N07/]Ngoh shian Bang[/url], on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/ZdYFLY][img]https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4580/37559193804_3062b3fda6_z.jpg[/img][/url][url=https://flic.kr/p/ZdYFLY]IMG_7404.jpg[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/132428006@N07/]Ngoh shian Bang[/url], on Flickr[/QUOTE]

You've got four versions of the same shot here. You need to edit down your selections so that when your images are seen together in a post like this, they make sense and compliment each other in a more coherent way.

In this case, the repetition dilutes any impact these photos would have had, had you only shown the strongest one.

[Papkee]

Found an old pic (one of only four or five total) that I took on my senior trip to Italy. Just a small side street in Venice. I kinda like it, even though the composition isn't the best.

[url=https://flic.kr/p/tQDj9S][t]https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5601/18272104754_396fc544ae_o.jpg[/t][/url]

[ignhelper]

[QUOTE=bopie;52870253]You've got four versions of the same shot here. You need to edit down your selections so that when your images are seen together in a post like this, they make sense and compliment each other in a more coherent way.

In this case, the repetition dilutes any impact these photos would have had, had you only shown the strongest one.[/QUOTE]

I know that, couldn't decide which was best and already had thoughts of your comment.

Anyway, what about the colours?

[Biscuit-Boy]

7391 and 7404 are probably my least favorite with the yellowy tinge. You're leaning towards an overly-hdri look, and I think it's best to sacrifice some detail in shadow to keep your overall tonal range clear. I much prefer the crushed darks in the first two of your newer post. 7331 and 7419.

Also bope <3, it's funny because I mentioned the same thing to him when he posted his originals. Glad we're all encouraging him to pull the trigger and commit a bit more. I love your photos Ign but you do tend to water down the quality your posts by sheer volume. Every image can't be the best if there's 14 of them, even if sometimes you just go with your gut or pick arbitrarily.

[ignhelper]

[QUOTE=Biscuit-Boy;52871120]

Also bope <3, it's funny because I mentioned the same thing to him when he posted his originals. Glad we're all encouraging him to pull the trigger and commit a bit more. I love your photos Ign but you do tend to water down the quality your posts by sheer volume. Every image can't be the best if there's 14 of them, even if sometimes you just go with your gut or pick arbitrarily.[/QUOTE]

The issue for me is finding which to pick, and when you have a few you feel its good, its difficult to make that choice. I've always been conflicted so I usually go 'eh well they both look pretty good/alright so why not'

I also do the same with film, I either do two or more shots of the same scene, or do several of the same scene, which becomes somewhat repeated. Even worse since film cost more.

[BlazeFresh]

[IMG]https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4562/26504023679_27c2c8121b_c.jpg[/IMG]

[codenamecueball]

[QUOTE=Ignhelper;52871209]The issue for me is finding which to pick, and when you have a few you feel its good, its difficult to make that choice. I've always been conflicted so I usually go 'eh well they both look pretty good/alright so why not'

I also do the same with film, I either do two or more shots of the same scene, or do several of the same scene, which becomes somewhat repeated. Even worse since film cost more.[/QUOTE]

don't

[Thomas45]

[url=https://flic.kr/p/ZfDx3S][img]https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4536/37578090314_3a66141690_c.jpg[/img][/url]
[url=https://flic.kr/p/ZfDx3S]Princes Street, Edinburgh, Scotland[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/nj-nixon-photography/]Nathan Nixon[/url], on Flickr

[BlazeFresh]

you dodged the clocktower too much and it looks unnatural

[Thomas45]

[QUOTE=BlazeFresh;52873165]you dodged the clocktower too much and it looks unnatural[/QUOTE]

I like how it sticks out.

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[img]https://i.imgur.com/hy5ipIF.jpg[/img]

[Thomas45]

[QUOTE=bopie;52873250][img]https://i.imgur.com/hy5ipIF.jpg[/img][/QUOTE]

Did that stand out to you that much? I didn't notice it until I uploaded and thought that only I would notice as I did it but yes I used content aware to remove a tree branch in that corner.

[➤◉──────────]

Yeah it stuck out to me pretty clearly, it's in the sky. Take a few extra minutes and use content aware fill with lasso tool in more precise incremental selections, then blend it all in a bit.

Dial back the dodging to ~50% of what you've done and clean up the edges so it isn't glowing, let it transition more smoothly. It will be much more natural looking while maintaining the emphasis you want to have on the tower and street.

[Thomas45]

[QUOTE=bopie;52873318]Yeah it stuck out to me pretty clearly, it's in the sky. Take a few extra minutes and use content aware fill with lasso tool in more precise incremental selections, then blend it all in a bit.

Dial back the dodging to ~50% of what you've done and clean up the edges so it isn't glowing, let it transition more smoothly. It will be much more natural looking while maintaining the emphasis you want to have on the tower and street.[/QUOTE]

Will do!

[codenamecueball]

the balmoral, queen of my heart, server of my meals

[Zeemlapje]

[url=https://iamazuikoholic.tumblr.com/][img]https://78.media.tumblr.com/6d5d4b2bf574e9370ef738f25b2a05e3/tumblr_oz6il4aDKq1wdhht2o1_1280.jpg[/img][/url]

[Vaguewisdom]

Snip.

[BlazeFresh]

[IMG]https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4556/24445443488_d7386ecd4a_c.jpg[/IMG]

[ignhelper]

Some taken over the weekend for assignment, photos gonna be used for tourism

[URL="https://flic.kr/p/21pkag6"][IMG]https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4521/38332710231_c61e048cdc_z.jpg[/IMG][/URL][URL="https://flic.kr/p/21pkag6"]IMG_7635.jpg[/URL] by [URL="https://www.flickr.com/photos/132428006@N07/"]Ngoh shian Bang[/URL], on Flickr

[URL="https://flic.kr/p/GsUm1R"][IMG]https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4535/26558712769_3fd2bfa525_z.jpg[/IMG][/URL][URL="https://flic.kr/p/GsUm1R"]IMG_7568-HDR.jpg[/URL] by [URL="https://www.flickr.com/photos/132428006@N07/"]Ngoh shian Bang[/URL], on Flickr

[URL="https://flic.kr/p/GsWDdn"][IMG]https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4520/26559160849_c87e98f096_z.jpg[/IMG][/URL][URL="https://flic.kr/p/GsWDdn"]IMG_7875.jpg[/URL] by [URL="https://www.flickr.com/photos/132428006@N07/"]Ngoh shian Bang[/URL], on Flickr

[editline]11th November 2017[/editline]

[URL="https://flic.kr/p/21pxgYa"][IMG]https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4535/38335074141_8770a8877e_z.jpg[/IMG][/URL][URL="https://flic.kr/p/21pxgYa"]IMG_7776.jpg[/URL] by [URL="https://www.flickr.com/photos/132428006@N07/"]Ngoh shian Bang[/URL], on Flickr

[URL="https://flic.kr/p/Gt4H3T"][IMG]https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4541/26560539539_7d74723509_z.jpg[/IMG][/URL][URL="https://flic.kr/p/Gt4H3T"]IMG_7786.jpg[/URL] by [URL="https://www.flickr.com/photos/132428006@N07/"]Ngoh shian Bang[/URL], on Flickr

[editline]11th November 2017[/editline]

[URL="https://flic.kr/p/21pyPDT"][IMG]https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4542/38335375841_b9b57c025d_z.jpg[/IMG][/URL][URL="https://flic.kr/p/21pyPDT"]IMG_7866.jpg[/URL] by [URL="https://www.flickr.com/photos/132428006@N07/"]Ngoh shian Bang[/URL], on Flickr

[URL="https://flic.kr/p/21pyMWe"][IMG]https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4539/38335370061_8a7e0ddbca_z.jpg[/IMG][/URL][URL="https://flic.kr/p/21pyMWe"]IMG_7773.jpg[/URL] by [URL="https://www.flickr.com/photos/132428006@N07/"]Ngoh shian Bang[/URL], on Flickr

[URL="https://flic.kr/p/21jEqwy"][IMG]https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4535/38279886236_6bbca223ef_z.jpg[/IMG][/URL][URL="https://flic.kr/p/21jEqwy"]IMG_7802.jpg[/URL] by [URL="https://www.flickr.com/photos/132428006@N07/"]Ngoh shian Bang[/URL], on Flickr

[URL="https://flic.kr/p/Gt5NDa"][IMG]https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4585/26560753459_378ce34b8c_z.jpg[/IMG][/URL][URL="https://flic.kr/p/Gt5NDa"]IMG_7905.jpg[/URL] by [URL="https://www.flickr.com/photos/132428006@N07/"]Ngoh shian Bang[/URL], on Flickr

[editline]12th November 2017[/editline]

[URL="https://flic.kr/p/21pApbR"][IMG]https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4575/38335683761_070f8b5d5d_z.jpg[/IMG][/URL][URL="https://flic.kr/p/21pApbR"]IMG_7767.jpg[/URL] by [URL="https://www.flickr.com/photos/132428006@N07/"]Ngoh shian Bang[/URL], on Flickr

[editline]12th November 2017[/editline]

[url=https://flic.kr/p/21jGJSC][img]https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4524/38280338176_35881fe287_z.jpg[/img][/url][url=https://flic.kr/p/21jGJSC]IMG_7761.jpg[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/132428006@N07/]Ngoh shian Bang[/url], on Flickr

[Chubbles]

[url=https://flic.kr/p/Z71pw9][img]https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4505/37480313872_dee60577cf_c.jpg[/img][/url]

[Dbot090]

Big dump

[url=https://flic.kr/p/21nmxSE][img]https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4548/38310348422_e60d93b248_c.jpg[/img][/url]

[url=https://flic.kr/p/Zk2fjy][img]https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4534/37627592484_1767153d90_c.jpg[/img][/url]

[url=https://flic.kr/p/GtAjbP][img]https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4577/26566511099_88184788e7_c.jpg[/img][/url]

[url=https://flic.kr/p/GtAhBr][img]https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4562/26566505799_7c97b7763f_c.jpg[/img][/url]

[url=https://flic.kr/p/DhoVzs][img]https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4584/24470737048_61bc81a37a_c.jpg[/img][/url]

[url=https://flic.kr/p/GtAg4X][img]https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4518/26566500609_901f623e9e_c.jpg[/img][/url]

[url=https://flic.kr/p/DhoTsb][img]https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4584/24470729898_8d52cc16f0_c.jpg[/img][/url]

Been mainly posting on insta since I don't have a lot of time to carry my Canon around.

[KlaseR]

I still consider myself a sort of newbie, but I'd like to know what you all think of these snaps I took last weekend in London. I only had 2 hours of free time, so I was in a hurry, but I think I might have got something worthwhile out of it.

[URL="https://flic.kr/p/21rMeMr"][IMG]https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4583/38360431351_b2ce4a03f7_c.jpg[/IMG][/URL][URL="https://flic.kr/p/21rMeMr"]London 2017[/URL] by [URL="https://www.flickr.com/photos/138328834@N06/"]J.G. Caselli[/URL], su Flickr

[URL="https://flic.kr/p/21mX4PL"][IMG]https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4569/38305766486_aeab896f9d_c.jpg[/IMG][/URL][URL="https://flic.kr/p/21mX4PL"]London 2017[/URL] by [URL="https://www.flickr.com/photos/138328834@N06/"]J.G. Caselli[/URL], su Flickr

[URL="https://flic.kr/p/ZmFc5W"][IMG]https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4541/37646312354_a8e6e9743e_c.jpg[/IMG][/URL][URL="https://flic.kr/p/ZmFc5W"]London 2017[/URL] by [URL="https://www.flickr.com/photos/138328834@N06/"]J.G. Caselli[/URL], su Flickr

[URL="https://flic.kr/p/ZmFhpd"][IMG]https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4549/37646330234_aa719b5052_c.jpg[/IMG][/URL][URL="https://flic.kr/p/ZmFhpd"]London 2017[/URL] by [URL="https://www.flickr.com/photos/138328834@N06/"]J.G. Caselli[/URL], su Flickr

[URL="https://flic.kr/p/GvfEni"][IMG]https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4566/26585309739_5c59c003aa_c.jpg[/IMG][/URL][URL="https://flic.kr/p/GvfEni"]London 2017[/URL] by [URL="https://www.flickr.com/photos/138328834@N06/"]J.G. Caselli[/URL], su Flickr

[URL="https://flic.kr/p/21rMiv8"][IMG]https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4519/38360443861_3b42132e08_c.jpg[/IMG][/URL][URL="https://flic.kr/p/21rMiv8"]London 2017[/URL] by [URL="https://www.flickr.com/photos/138328834@N06/"]J.G. Caselli[/URL], su Flickr

[URL="https://flic.kr/p/ZmF4MQ"][IMG]https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4525/37646287814_68c35312b7_c.jpg[/IMG][/URL][URL="https://flic.kr/p/ZmF4MQ"]London 2017[/URL] by [URL="https://www.flickr.com/photos/138328834@N06/"]J.G. Caselli[/URL], su Flickr

[URL="https://flic.kr/p/21p61Ks"][IMG]https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4583/38329950032_753d4532d7_c.jpg[/IMG][/URL][URL="https://flic.kr/p/21p61Ks"]London 2017[/URL] by [URL="https://www.flickr.com/photos/138328834@N06/"]J.G. Caselli[/URL], su Flickr

[URL="https://flic.kr/p/21p62sQ"][IMG]https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4547/38329952432_79eb7ba1a7_c.jpg[/IMG][/URL][URL="https://flic.kr/p/21p62sQ"]London 2017[/URL] by [URL="https://www.flickr.com/photos/138328834@N06/"]J.G. Caselli[/URL], su Flickr

[URL="https://flic.kr/p/21p635S"][IMG]https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4557/38329954522_6295dd5e3c_c.jpg[/IMG][/URL][URL="https://flic.kr/p/21p635S"]London 2017[/URL] by [URL="https://www.flickr.com/photos/138328834@N06/"]J.G. Caselli[/URL], su Flickr

[URL="https://flic.kr/p/21p63s5"][IMG]https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4534/38329955752_4515782507_c.jpg[/IMG][/URL][URL="https://flic.kr/p/21p63s5"]London 2017[/URL] by [URL="https://www.flickr.com/photos/138328834@N06/"]J.G. Caselli[/URL], su Flickr

[URL="https://flic.kr/p/21rM7TX"][IMG]https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4547/38360408181_4002357093_c.jpg[/IMG][/URL][URL="https://flic.kr/p/21rM7TX"]London 2017[/URL] by [URL="https://www.flickr.com/photos/138328834@N06/"]J.G. Caselli[/URL], su Flickr

[Dbot090]

[QUOTE=KlaseR;52882430]I still consider myself a sort of newbie, but I'd like to know what you all think of these snaps I took last weekend in London.[/QUOTE]

So i've been thinking about responses to the general questions of "What do you think of my work?" When I hear/see that I want to ask, "What do [b]YOU[/b] like about your work?" Yes, having your work CC'd is a very valuable thing (and I will give some after this) but ultimately its a hobby/art that you want to pursue. This is more an an internal quiestion for you to think about but why did you take those photos? Try to see if you can get your selects down to 5 pictures or even 3. It will help you focus and see where the work wants to go. If you are as new as you say think about your own work for a little bit before posting. On that same note and like i've said before in this thread, look at other artist works and see what you can piggyback on.

So lets start some CC. I do like the more zoomed in shots like this one.

[URL="https://flic.kr/p/21rM7TX"][IMG]https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4547/38360408181_4002357093_c.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

The whole thing is very symmetrical and actually tells a story to a point. The man just standing there looking at what I assume are movies coming out really adds to it so I really think this is one of the best. For the CC, I think you could of let the frame have more breathing room. Zooming out/stepping back could of given us some more of the story and our eyes could have traveled into the moment ourselves. Im not talking about showing the entire block but maybe a foot or two more all around could have let the viewers not feel so crammed in the space.

[URL="https://flic.kr/p/21p61Ks"][IMG]https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4583/38329950032_753d4532d7_c.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

This one is great in with colors. All I see is the red and that's an awesome picture to grab. Everything from the break light on the right reflecting off the van, the bricks on the roof, and even the window above the kiosk all come together to show us some type of red.

The CC I would have for this is that it's unfortunately just a boring picture once you look past the color. I would of maybe done something closer to the bikes playing with how the seats are all arranged differently.

You've got the signs of a good eye. Just don't be afraid to show us more. You can change a lot later if you want and you should! Try just sliding bars around and seeing what happens. Or again look at other artist work for inspiration.

Hope that helps!

[C_Mandrake]

[img]https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4537/24523201428_7bb795392a_b.jpg[/img]

Added tons of noise and clarity, going for a 1930's horror feel.

[QuickSnapz]

[url=https://flic.kr/p/Dn3FyG][img]https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4544/24523370148_b0d2d2c7dc.jpg[/img][/url] [url=https://flic.kr/p/21s4W9N][img]https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4552/38363688942_f46cb874e1.jpg[/img][/url]

[KlaseR]

[QUOTE=Dbot;52883876]Hope that helps![/QUOTE]

Thanks, it does! Wasn't really asking for any lengthy CC, just if I got something going or not. I dunno, it's very hard for me to judge my own work, and to know if I'm doing it "right".