Personally I admire "organic" art, which means no PS, no artificial light, just a precious moment, it can tell a moving story or a beautiful scene. But in the reality, it's very difficult.
Like me, I like portrait a lot, but to get a better state, I have to manipulate the light. I tried my best not to rely on PS, set right flash and position, lay out composition in camera. But still, some minor crap or modification are still needed. Fewer people here talk about how to manipulate light. I joined and so far they seems not resisit it.
I think, back to my point, find the best way for your interest, stick to it, work hard on it, produce eye attracting photo, and enjoy it... Good photos do not have hard coded criteria. Even the thread is not top, that's fine too. Somebody like your style will comment, appraise, or critique, even contact you.
