You are of course right with JI = JO. I think LR2 or PS can fix certain problems but if the image is garbage, no software can change this.

I remember meeting a guy in Spain who did a lot of flight shots of vultures like I did. We both got a lot of unsharp pictures (probably because I was using wrong technique, still learning here).
The other guy sad it doesn’t matter, he can always sharpen the images with PS. I told him that he will be in for a really bad surprise. He didn’t believe it.
Too many people today think that proper technique is no longer important and believe that software can cure even the worst images.

I prefer your way and try to get the best possible image in camera.
And then do only some fine tuning with software. Shooting is more fun than PS, anyway.

Thanks markus. Don’t get me wrong. JI = JO. Junk in equals junk out. You cannot make a bad image into a good image. I’ve been trying to get a free copy of Lightroom for some time now…. As far as I can tell, my images do not look half bad and it is hard to teach an old dog new tricks.

BTW, I have spoken to James about the BPN membership problem; you should hear from him very soon. Thanks for your patience.