I posted this in the OP thread, before it was locked, and am reposting it here for those who did not see the thread:
"Julian,
This is uncalled for. You got numerous accolades and only one or two remarks, not even criticism, and you are leaving!?
Chairman Bill is a good man, good photographer, and he certainly knows what he is talking about. He is also entitled to his likes and dislikes. Without your reaction, some of us would have engaged in a reasoned discourse as to why we like it that dark in this case (not to prove him wrong, but to express the opposing view).
Pardon me for saying this, as English is only my second language, but I really do not see how Bill "accused" you of using HDR. I simply can not read it in his sentence. Bill made a general statement ("I love shadows"), followed by another general statement (general = not directed to you) how he hates "how HDR CAN (emphasis mine) strip them away." Nothing in his sentence indicates he thinks YOU used HDR. He simply stated he likes shadows, but not that black."