The Grand Union near Stockton Bottom Lock

Symphony in E minor.

Not D minor?

Yes, it could be a diuretic diarrama in D.

Ah well, never say diuretic.

So it *could* be, indeed. If what were done to make it one? And what is it in the meantime?

Nothing. I was just humouring you.

If you chose this shot to do so, it must be aqueous humour.

I was humouring you about your self-awarded D. The picture is equabile.

I don't upload pictures which I myself think substandard. But my judgement isn't perfect, and I'd find any serious comments on the demerits (and occasionally the merits) of my pictures helpful. The number of "faves", likes and views that a picture gets is no reliable guide to merit - mere popularity never is of anything.

Yes, we've had this conversation many times before and I know you take your stats very seriously, whilst my own stream is largely serendipity and I'm not into virtue signalling.

I was humouring you over the D, because your picture reminds me of one of my canal pictures which you rated exceptionally diarr.

Sorry, but I don't recall diarring that picture, and if I did, why, because it's quite pleasing, even presented in the way it is. I might even have taken it myself now that I've discovered what can be done with pictures (particularly of water and reflections) taken under overcast skies.

Incidentally, look up "humour" (verb). The definition I've found (which agrees with my understanding of the expression) is: "To comply with the wishes of someone only in order to keep him content". That, I think, isn't your objective.

You produced a lot of diarrtribe over this one, which you particularly disliked at the time (2010), but you must be mellowing in your old age if you now find it pleasing.

The only comment, that I made, that I can see, is "Do". I don't remember now what I meant by that, but it doesn't sound to me like 'a lot of diarrtribe'.

There are limits to how far post-processing can go to rectify faults in an image, mine included, and I'm normally aware of faults like non-ideal lighting, weakish composition and the lack of warm colour or a suitable figure, building, tree or boat where and when needed. But I still need critical input as a guide, even at and with my advanced age and millennia of experience.

I also need a sounding board as to whether I can justify replacing my Sony with a newer and better model. I've set out my case with four, technically-savvy friends and/or contacts, and not one has replied or responded.

The conversation might have been on F**ckr. But who cares?
I'm not the least bit bothered if you want to call my photos diarr or doh.

I've no idea if you should replace your Sony, as I don't know the first thing about photography. My own camera is for me a magic box that works on serendipity and occasionally produces the odd masterpiece by sheer fluke. I don't study the details, as you do, but simply press the button when I see a picture.

Ask Andy (above), as he took a lot of his wonderful Cornish photos on an old phone.

If you want my honest opinion, I don't like the special effect, whatever that is, as I generally prefer a more natural look. I find the colours a little cold, and the red somewhat raucous.

The side of the boat, bottom right, adds nothing to the picture. You should have included more of it, or moved to the left to exclude it altogether, but that might have led to you falling in.

Yes, I do want your honest opinion, and in this case I'm inclined to agree. I had my reservations at the time. By then on Thursday, towards the end of my walk, it had miserabled over, the light was failing, and I was aware that the composition here was a little weak (but the best possible) and I took the shot intending to produce an artistic effect from it in post processing - I myself don't insist on achieving a natural look. And, aware of its demerits, I only uploaded it as an afterthought, after the others.

The question about the Sony is not a technical one. The model I've earmarked would be the right one for me and have advantages over the one I have. The question is about whether I'm justified in buying ANY new camera in view of the amount of mileage I'm likely to get out of it (I'm unlikely to go abroad again), and whether for the type of work I do, which only gets uploaded and never printed, it'll be using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.

Better? - Boat moved, red desaturated, other colours warmed up, and (to humour Roy) cropped.