This is the fifth time I'm trying to post in this thread! They keep disappearing so this time I'm copying it and if it doesn't take I'll start a new thread with it.

This discussion reminds me alot of the discussions about whether PSP and PI (quick & easy to use with alot of built in push button effects)were as 'good' as Photoshop (industry standard and used by 'real' artists). sigh Snobbery (is that a word? LOL) is what I call it, you know some artists won't even call fractals art!

I just recently started making fractals and I have about 20 different fractal programs on my pc that I play in. I love the flames the best...it'll take me several hours at least to make a flame fractal and even then I may scrap it and start again rather than render it. If I post process or make something using the fractal it may take a day or two more. When I do finish and render the fractal...it is my creation. The program is merely the tool I used to make it. I do find it's getting easier to guess correctly what program was used as well as which artist created it because regardless of the program I think the artist's style shows.

I do enjoy combining fractals though I doubt I'll ever use them as building blocks to make a picture for the same reason that the bushes in my garden aren't pruned into shapes; but rather planted in an area so their natural growth and shape is incorporated into the garden design.

I usually don't title a fractal as I think that influences what a person sees when they look at it and I prefer people to see their own thing. You never know what a person is going to focus on though I do try by placement, lighting, etc. to attract the eye to a certain area.

Fran...I have to add I love arcanefractals and go there to drool quite often! LOL

I've really enjoyed reading everyone's thoughts on this. It's a good discussion. ;o)

Treat people as if they were what they ought to be...
And you help them to become what they are capable of being.
                                                                ~Goethe~
R.I.G.H.T.S.