Some I might idolize if I did that with anyone would be those who have proven they can do it..yet, are able to teach it to others.  A book I have is packed away until we redo this home but the author is a fine photographer and the book is an excellent teaching tool.

He is not teaching art or direction but primarily exposure and how to use it most effectively in the first shot.   So, technique is valuable.

What I do with technique is from my eye,not that of someone else.  I can look at fine work and be educated in that seeing.  No, not to copy or try to copy but I will see elements which make it work so well and can possibly pick up on that, maybe hidden in thoughts to come into play later when in the creative direction.

Ultimately, being out of a commercial box and being able to do that with freedom of creative spirit is so valuable to me.  While some of my shots look commonplace, some are not. Yet, all are either a technical exercise or a creative expression or both, one requiring the other for fulfilment in fine work rendered.  That is my 1/10 cent worth.

I realize if on a wall in a gallery, there will always be those comments, "Humm..interesting", "so whimsical", "different"...comments saying essentially nothing and heard at most any art museum.  The public view is just that, public: Often not understanding, often unkind...but once in a while correct..maybe that is a piece of junk in the museum, differnt an so poorly executed you wonder about the museum jurors.

The famous greats of photography will always get raves.  First, that is what is supposed to be done and secondly because the imagry deserves it.