Mr. Phyter, I fell obliged to apologize for the shallow and somewhat crass behavior of some of my fellow country-persons. I won't speak for those from other countries, but just mine.
This image is simply exquisite, it gives new meaning to the word "art" and one can only wonder at the hours it must have taken you in setup to build the sense of tension in the image. The "hot spot" on the fireplace grill. The rack with only one tool fully visible, giving you pause to wonder what else might be there. The aniticipation not only of when the fire might start, but why, will it be Real Wood or Gas? The texture on the wall, the bit of "sooty" color top left of the fire place indicating that this just might be Real Wood. Socks in place, leaving one to wonder if the toes are pedicured, perhaps painted. The "toe impressions" in the sandles, gives the feeling of "Oh, how comfy", the curled toes indicate contentment. Feet up on a hassock, a footstool, yet another sign of a favorite comfy spot by the fire. Non-gender specific clothing, again, leaving the viewer to wonder. The simple, yet elegant, ways you break all the rules of composition.
What a truly wondrous piece of art. If I were you I would simply laugh, nay SNEER at the philistines in this thread who are fully unable to adequately judge the genius, the sheer majesty of such an image. I can only believe that the Major Museums are simply clamoring, breaking down your door to have the opportunity to hang such magnificence.
I am humbled, in awe, you have set the bar so high .........
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Then again, it was I who wrote this ..... :wink: