Alex, I have found myself in a position on to many occasions striving for what i think should be my end result, when it comes to imaging.
I have to pull myself up sometimes, and question myself, telling myself that the image I have produced, is OK, it is the best I can do, even if it is not anywhere near the standards of some.
I often find myself comparing to much with some of the great images on IIS, and don't bother posting as it would not come close.
However I am now learning, that, as you have said also, that we can only do our best, and that we should accept the many failures of this imaging game as a new starting point, and continue, with our heads held high.
Leon