Being a member of various photo forums, I have only one comment to make – if you do not know photo history, please read a book. Arm yourself with knowledge, not small minded thinking. You are not alone. You are part of over 150 years of technical and artistic development. Remember that. You are only alone within yourselves to carry on a tradition whose rules should be respected, broken, expanded, and put back together in ways that show that your vision hadn’t existed until you took your first breath.
Totally agree with you, Keith. Also if one is active in other art forms it is very important to know the roots…