Hammerfel,
I think your post was the most complete and was most what I was looking for. I think we ALL feed off our audiences's praise. It's great we can share this hobby and give each other feedback, help and assistance. That's why I spend more time at this site than any other. I too listen to criticism and take it to heart. If theres a suggestion that will work, I try it. It doesn't always come out for the better, but if it is a SOUND idea and doesn't take away from the way I portray certain characters or elements of the story, I try it. I think the question I am getting, maybe, is where do you draw the line? Where do you say "That might work in a dio, but that's NOT What I do!

For example someone mentioned before that my sets are typically dark. Well, that's part of my story....my "JoeVerse" as you will, and that's where I draw the line. To take Bright, outdoor pictures would be a dead giveaway that it's not something I made. Sort of like ViolentFX. If he started shooting outside using natural lighting, I wouldn't know his work by looking at it.....he makes awesome indoor sets and his lighting is what I like to call "Faux Natural" . It's awesome. He is one of my inspirations and I hope to be as good as he is someday! I can see one shot in his dios and tell it's his work. I personally can't do that with mine yet....can anyone else look at my pics and tell them by a certain "tag" trait?


Another Example is General Scarlett, in her JoeVerse, Duke and Scarlett are an Item. A lot of people don't like that, but it's "what she does"..if she gives in, the work no longer becomes an expression of her but a cheap imatative attempt to please the fans.....

Do you have a line? Where is it? What is it? I think that was what I was driving at....how close are you willing to go to giving up your "artistic license" to please the audience?

Thanks all for the awesome input, not only to this thread, but to my work, be it pictures, reviews, how-to's or dios! Your input, although not always agreed with by me, is appreciated and listened to! And here's to many more wonderful years of "JoeDios"......