Actually, we don't 'all have to be so critical', there is some sound advice above... The rest is banter, leg-pulling, if you read more of the forum you'll realise it's a characteristic of the membership who (generally) refuse to take themselves too seriously - although many do take their photography very seriously.

(Incidentally, with regards the address 'amateur' also means; a person who admires something; devotee; fan. (French, from Latin amator, lover, from amare, to love, and perhaps more in mind when the magazine was founded in 1884 (some of the original readers are still with us, I think)) It is not indicative of a lack of professionalism or skill on the part of the membership here.

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