Alan, the point is that you are content with where you are in life and what you are doing. I am not. I have worked in several different fields and what I often see are people (not all, but many) that are not truly content, but instead rationalizing their current lot in life rather than attempting to change it (which is much harder). They have found a balance between their work, their home life, and their ambition and settle for that (capitalism encourages it). Whether they are truly content or merely rationalizing, only they can say.(posted 8445 days ago)What I've been attempting to do in this thread is to counter the impression that what Eolo does is somehow unapproachable by mere mortals. He is very skilled (with at least one type of photography), but work like that on his site is only the starting point for a career in this field. Anyone on this forum could create images of the same technical quality with only a few weeks of practice - given the same "raw materials." (It's his eye for composition which is above average for most photographers - but not for most people with a background in graphic arts.) To unduly valorize another's skill (in particular to characterize it as an inborn "talent") is just another way of rationalizing your current situation. (On the fashion photography forum I've been complaining about people doing that with Richard Avedon.) Edward's original stance is a better one: work on copying what Eolo does until you learn how. Then set your sites a bit higher and go on from there.
But the other side of the equation, of course, is that skill (or even talent if you wish to believe in that) is not sufficient by itself get you to "the top" (however you define that). Skill is merely another raw material that a good capitalist knows how to exploit. You wouldn't run a business by merely creating a product on the off- chance that someone might a) find out about it, b) like it or need it, and c) offer you enough for it to make a profit. You'd have a plan. You'd do market research, product development, and figure out how to advertise your product the best way possible - partly on its intrinsic merits, and partly on the impression you want people to have of it. (Sounds sort of like the fashion industry itself, doesn't it?) Why wouldn't you approach your career the same way - particularly in a creative field where you can actually have control over all these parameters yourself? The point is that if you don't do this, you are merely casting your fate to the winds. (It would be easier and cheaper just to buy a lottery ticket each week - and give you about as much chance of long-term success.)
As for me, I am attempting to work towards fashion photography as best I can, but I have both limited resources and other commitments which make it difficult. The first step for me is to become self- sufficient in wedding photography. Then I will have the time, opportunity - and hopefully the money - to both work on my other skills and to cultivate other opportunities. (But don't think I don't have a plan - and one that I constantly revise.)