Dear friends and Stills’ members,
you might have noticed that I haven’t been here for a while. The reason is not lack of images ;) – it’s the commenting. As you know, my mothertongue is not English, and my English descends from school (long ago :D); I find it really hard to comment every image more than “nice shot”, and then to clearly understand what others have written. It simply costs me too much time. In addition, I do not like to comment everything. If an image does not attract me, I am not able to write something about it. Shortly enough … I talked with John via mail concerning Stills, and we both said that maybe it is better for me to say Goodbye.
This is what I want to do now. I wish all of you a great time, much fun, many good photos (and cameras ;) ), and I hope Stills will blossom even more than now. (Images should be larger, though…) – and I will definitely look up Stills here and there.
All the best to you all!
Astrid
Stills V3 
Fairwell Astrid. I have found your English to be very good, better than many of us that speak it everyday.
This by the way is a fine picture, interesting to have light in the girls face and also as flare. Wonderful lines leading around left and right.
Comment by rhoehne — March 8, 2012 @ 04:45
Thank you, Robert, for your kind words – writing good English, to express well what I want to say, this is difficult to me, and costs much time. And often I do not understand exactly what others write (in a sort of dialect or everyday-speech, I suppose).
Thank your for your comment as well!
Comment by Astrid — March 8, 2012 @ 08:01
Dear Astrid,
Sorry to read this, I have enjoyed the photographs you have shared with us here (especially “Piano” has left a lasting impression) as well as your comments. I would not have guessed that there were any language issues, your writings were quite fluent. Regarding the commenting on pictures posted, you may know the famous saying: “if you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all”. I too tend to refrain from commenting on other fora if I cannot connect with the picture shown. Here on Stills however, the situation is different. We have a small community of contributors who depend on each other’s considered comments. That’s why I can understand your dilemma, we all have to make a choice eventually. I respect the choice you have made and I hope that you will continue enjoying your photography. Take care and keep in touch.
Comment by Cem — March 8, 2012 @ 16:43
Dear Cem,
thank you as well :) – and no, I won’t be far away. Have much fun with photography (as I have and will have) – and, maybe, we will meet somewhere in the World Wide Net.
Comment by Astrid — March 8, 2012 @ 19:42
It’s good to see the picture at maximum size via the link – thank you.
So, flare = flair! I hope you don’t need the dictionary for that equation! I shall certainly be sorry to see you depart but, like the others, understand your reasons. At least I shall have the advantage of continuing to meet you on SPNC. Very many thanks for your contribution.
Comment by zavaell — March 9, 2012 @ 07:45
I didn’t know what SPNC was so I’ve looked it up. Since i’ve joined the Flickr community a few months back, I’m now considering joining the SPNC also. I’ve found Astrid and made her a contact but could not yet find you John. Anybody else out there on Flickr?
Comment by Cem — March 9, 2012 @ 08:19
Yes, that would be a nice thing to meet Stills’s members in flickr!
@Rex, I didn’t come upon your flickr name – if you want to please tell me (via flickr mail?) ;)
Comment by Astrid — March 9, 2012 @ 10:00
Cem – it’s addictive – beware!! I’m ‘watcher330’.
Comment by zavaell — March 9, 2012 @ 11:17
Yep, I have already found you thanks to Astrid. I will be cautious. :)
Comment by Cem — March 9, 2012 @ 11:26
Astrid, sorry you ar eleaving us. You have brought a series of lovely photographs and I’ve enjoyed your work and contributions.
I wish you all the best in all things and hope that you will look in occasionally and that I might see some of your pictures elsehere – I will have to look up SPNC
MIke
Comment by sojournerphoto — March 10, 2012 @ 22:30
thank you, Mike – and it would be nice to meet you here and there, as the others too.
As long as this wordpress account still exists I will have a look and maybe write a bit, here and there. ;)
Comment by Astrid — March 11, 2012 @ 12:45
I’m sorry to see you go and this post and your current comments show that you contribute well!
Thank you for spending some time with us.
This is a brave shot with the flare in the centre of the image, not a club image!
Everything leads up to the lady on the stairs who, unexpectedly, is being well lit by some reflected light.
I like the simplicity and curves in this.
The title suits the image, is this the Flickr title or was the tile just the place to say goodbye?
Comment by Rex — March 11, 2012 @ 21:33
Rex, I looked for an image which could express a “goodbye”. A sunset, and the whole environment seemed to be suitable. (It was subject of a SPNC brief – No. 8 – about lines and curves.)
I am glad I could participate in Stills – and I will be here sometimes, even if not able any more to post. ;)
Comment by Astrid — March 12, 2012 @ 19:29
late to this one, but it’s always sad to see another member leave. Do fully understand your reasons as I’ve so long surrounded by foreign tongues.
This is a fine final image – a really interesting way that the flare adds to the image and seems as if it’s the spotlight for the girl in the foreground.
Comment by doonster — March 21, 2012 @ 11:47