When does a photographer stop being a newbie;-)
I agree, without composition and a "photographic eye" you can have the most expensive gear and shoot lousy photos- and vice versa with cheap gear you can make fabulous photos.
Nevertheless even a newbie should try and learn to use the possibilities his/her camera offers.

" (...) without composition and a "photographic eye" you can have...": This is perennially confirmed in theory and practice.

"When does a photographer stop being a newbie;-)"

Good point! =) I think it is when newbie her/himself says s/he's no longer a newbie =D
I updated the caption a little, to make it clear it is not my statement. I think I'm still a newbie ;-)

But in general I guess it is about what is the useful order of learning things. It is often more useful to learn "composition, subject/background relation, lighting" before the "exposure triangle" and how that relates to something like focal length.

Those who are satisfied with the results of the automatic mode of their camera should not be deterred, since we all have specific strengths and weaknesses.

I like this image!

Das Ergebnis ist - obwohl wir immer newbies bleiben - ein BILD mit Inhalt!

Indeed! =)

Magnifique!

Yes !

nice light and composition, tranquil yet somehow enigmatic.

**************** :-)

i wonder if the blue baloon is waiting for the red balloon to return?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Xwic0_pxpI

Maybe... Or waiting to get outside and find the red balloon =)

Could say that blew me away; nice one!

At first glance a simple photo. but you seem to have made a lot of good decisions about it.