Roman and anyone else who cares to listen,
First off I didn't say I didn't like your shot. I said I felt it was too yellow. Looking at it a third and fourth time, I still feel the same way. Honestly, I love Nikon and the gear, but I've personally never been happy with the way the sensors capture the "golden hour" of light. I just feel it goes too yellow and needs adjusting.
Second, I'm sure you did all you could do technically to ensure that capture. And I'm sure it was an accurate capture. I wasn't there I don't know. I'm just telling you what I see and what I know, that's all subjective anyway.
You say that you want to merge into the pro world. If that's the case, then critique should be answered with questions such as...well why do you think that? The worst thing an aspiring pro can do is, let the ego get in the way of developing his art. There is a huge difference between critique and criticism. If I didn't see that you have a natural talent, I wouldn't have invested my time.
I've worked news as a photojournalist and had my own studio for many years, many more than I care think of actually. When I worked in news, I can't tell you how many times I came back to the newsroom thinking I did a great job and was very happy with my results only to find my mentor informing me otherwise. Instead of telling him that's the way I intended it, I'd first ask why do you say it could be better? (weather or not I thought he was right or wrong) Usually, but albeit, not always, he had a valid point. There were raised voices at times, both digging in our heels, but there was always forward progress.
Ultimately, it's not what you think, it's all about what your boss ~or~ what your customer thinks. Your customer will be your boss! Getting defensive right away on a critique, is not the way to proceed in the pro world. Again, I did not say I did not like your shot, I actually like your shots. The complements were not a veil for criticism either.
If you are thinking to yourself at this point, who is this guy, I don't see any of his work, I'd be happy to set up a gallery and let you or any one else tell me what you think. I'm not too old and set in my ways to hear critique or criticism. I always felt that this is what the forums were for. What you did posting your shots, should be a daily thing! That's the sort of thing that makes this and other forums interesting. We are supposed to be photographers after all.
Regards,
Bo