Photography workshops are exciting, but they can also be a huge investment, both in money and time. For many participants, it’s a first and last experience, and if you’re not careful, you could walk away frustrated, disappointed, and with little to show for it. The market is crowded, and everyone from social media influencers to renowned photographers claims they can teach. But how do you separate true education from marketing hype?

Why look back when the world is rushing forward? Because the past often sees more clearly than the present. The masters of photography may be gone, but their images remain alive and they still have lessons for us. But here’s the danger: admiration can easily turn into worship. And when you worship another photographer, you stop being yourself.