I'm not sure if this is the right place for this kind of discussion, but since I have no fractal enthusiasts among my friends, I'll give it a shot. I'm fairly new to fractaling, and I love it, but I'm finding it more and more difficult to be unique and interesting. There are some lovely people who post comments on my images, and I'm very flattered, since those people are wonderfully talented. However, as nice as praise is, I've heard or seen little to help me improve. You all are not instructors, nor is this forum a class, but is the work worthy of the doing, and does it really have merit? What makes you look? What would you change? I've noticed what images get the most praise...the vivid, the strong, the colorful. I'm no different from anyone...I'm drawn to the bright and shiny postings here too. But after a while, it's ho hum, another stunning spiral, or yep, a golden beauty. I thought it was most interesting when I got a comment on one of my postings that even mentioned the basic formula I used. That made me smile, but it also told me that everything seems to have been done before. That only urges me to be different, but the difficulty is in being different and still remaining attractive to the viewer. Now another problem in that vein. Apophysis!! I love it and hate it. More and more I'm seeing repetition, which I am guilty of myself. My "springs" series was great fun, and unique, I thought, until I saw similar images on other sites. That is not to minimize the works of the artists, but has Apo given us all the ability to become artistic clones? And if that is so, is there a reason to continue to create? These are just musings, and certainly not criticisms in any way. This community has been so warm and accepting and encouraging and generous. I thank all of you who have commented on my pages, and now I'd like to get your thoughts on why, how, etc. Maybe this is art, maybe it is just fun. Maybe I just need a nap. :) Bee