I've been hesitant to join in this conversation because I'm such a newby about the art world. 

but

I have always felt that the "Gallery" was for displaying a persons artwork. People could browse at their leasure and say (or not) what they wish. I LOVE to recieve critiques on my photos but I don't expect them any more than I expect a comment at all. While I hope that people will view and leave comments I don't want anyone to comment out of a feeling of obligation.

I still feel that the best place for a critique would be the photography forum but I'm afraid that since the start of the critique sticky thing that now people don't know if they can drop a picture in to be scrutinized on the spur of the moment....maybe they can't (?) .

Great photos Tom and welcome back!!

Oh, and I guess wives just don't understand about our love for the familiar ol' chairs....it takes sooo long to make a new one "right", LOL!

FWIW I agree with Renderosity's policy.

Have a wonderful vacation!

Tom, I hope the remodeling is/will be fun for ya. Hurry back though!
And, Kort, Have a Nice trip and bring back pictures!
 In fact you could both bring back pictures, LOL.

Looking in Steve's Digicam these two seemed larger framed and , just looking at the photos, the buttons etc. appeared to be fairly well separated. As well they have some nice features, the FUJI with an 2.5 inch LCD. Not to mention the prices seem friendly.

http://www.steves-digicams.com/2007_reviews/fuji_s6000fd.html

http://www.steves-digicams.com/2006_reviews/z650.html

While I was working with this Kort posted. I felt much the same as Pat and Kort. I just completely removed the background and then darkend the shooter's right shoulder and cropped as I felt this could be an illustration of the system. But having looked more closely at Pat and Korts , the table in the background may add more interest to the shot.

By the way, newleaf, I see the village as the subject of this photo. Correct me if I'm wrong.

It does seem to me that the man is the problem....LOL, isn't that always the way?
Not knowing what is to the left of the scene I wouldn't know if it would have been possible to step to the left a bit but I think that might have worked for me. 

@ inshalla, I see what you mean about landscapes, I think. A square shot of a landscape appears as more of a snapshot whereas a wider shot gives the effect of more continuity. Correct??

@ Tunde, Great job of clonning and of course I don't mind, hee hee, we're chopping this image all to pieces but they make for great illustrations. I think this is a great way to go about it.

This is tough for me. I've never really tried my hand at verbally critiquing. I think (hope) this will help me in my own photo attempts.

I really like the elements of this photo. The sky, trees, houses, wall, beach, boats and water are like brush strokes, to me, and are very appealling. But my eye is drawn to the man in the boat and he seems to be looking at something out of the frame. I probably wouldn't have asked him to jump out, LOL, so I think I would have cropped him and his boat out. Had he not been in the boat I think it and the bird are quite ballanced.

Thank you, Newleaf, for submitting your image. I'm looking forward to gaining knowledge from this thread also.