Perhaps that will not be the case for my response. I have very little concern, almost no interest, in the gear and technical issues you mentioned. The "techniques" which interest me are mainly involved with the capture, with composition, with artistic intent. My choice of gear is pretty simple with cost and complexity being low on my priorities.
I am not sure I even understand some of the considerations you mentioned. "Proof of effort".... I have no idea what that means. "Benefits" ... I am not sure I know what that means either. "Compatibility of techniques assessment".....Wow, the meaning of this is totally lost on me. "Justification" of what?
My take is that I have almost no guess as to what this thread is about. Then again, it might just be me.
Processing often gets short shrift in photo discussions. I remain puzzled about why some photographers are disdainful/apologetic/etc about the whole concept of post processing. I love working in PP applications, whether to make basic adjustments to a raw file, or more dramatic versions involving color, light or texture, or whether to create something entirely different from the original image(s) I captured. Often while I'm capturing images I'm also thinking about what I might do with them later.
I sometimes think photographers are either hunters or gatherers. Some primarily go out hunting for a particular thing: an eclipse, a dance performance, a car show, an eagle, the Milky Way over a mountain range, Niagara Falls - they have a particular goal in mind to the exclusion of others. Others mainly go out exploring, and gather up what they find interesting on the journey: an old barn, a weird mushroom, an empty birdnest, a shapely bridge, an old man on a park bench, a shadow. I'm more of the latter. I also gather up images to use as loose parts when I construct a composite or a digital painting. Neither approach is better or worse, just different...the important thing is to make images of something as a form of discipline for the trade/hobby/art/craft (whatever you consider it to be), and be open to new ideas/interpretations of what you want photography to do for you. Collecting fine gear is a hobby unto itself but photography asks us for more.
@minniev I appreciate this answer and look on things. Very inspiring. I can see myself put in your pants, although I am rather hunter type. It would only require compact gear setup for the gathering setup. Now I am contemplating if I should man up and haul more gear, so I am sure the gear is seldom limiting, but not happy of the weight (not taking it everywhere) or I should nervously expect inadequacy of the small and light setup. Althoug your response adds to the path to resolution, it makes my head explode. Decisions, decisions! :-D
