where I'm at now, and where I'd like to be

I created a FB account under a pseudonym so that I could join some photography groups, and I've been reading a lot over the last few days. I put up a photo from my last post of Geneva for critique, knowing that my images tend to be soft. I really like a dreamy, painterly look for the backgrounds, and so I've been experimenting with aperture and depth of field; apparently, I've just tried to shoot too wide open. I've always struggled with focus - shooting manual focus on my black and white Pentax film camera in the mid-90s, and I struggle now with digital. I've helped critique others' images, and it helps me to have a better eye for the photos I am taking, and I'm also realizing that every image, even if it's great, has something to nit-pick about. Photographs are not meant to dissect for every flaw and imperfection, but to express an idea/story, or to freeze a moment in time. I'm not going to stick my head in the sand like a few on there, proclaiming 'it's my ART, and if you don't like it, that's your problem'. Technique is important. It's important in any artistic medium, whether you're painting or throwing pottery. I want to nail the technique, but I know every shooter has their style, and I'm beginning to find out what kind of photos I love to take. When I'm ready, I would like to offer headshots and product photos for women bloggers and businesses, as well as select stylized costume fantasy shoots of children. All with the dreamy, ethereal look I'm drawn to creating.