“There probably never was a picture that was poor because it lacked detail or subject-matter; rather the opposite.
“Bad paintings are usually so overloaded with useless detail that the essentials are obliterated.”
John F Carlson, “Carlson’s Guide to Landscape Painting”, page 41
“But it’s in my photograph” is the worst reason for including something in a painting.
It’s akin to “but that colour was in my paintbox so I used it”.
Include it for a reason, your reason. Use it for a reason, your choice. It may simply be “because I think it looks pretty”. But please, not solely “because it was there”.
I just think your emails are wonderful. Thanks
(and I always smile when I remember how you made our meeting possible!)
🙂