Modern cameras can shoot at much higher ISOs without objectionable grain than they ever have before. Couple that with long telephotos that are faster (sure they’re not f/1.8 or f/2 that you see in shorter lenses) lenses and you’re filling the frame at a distance with a usable ISO and shutter speed.

Perfectionism is the thief of joy.

Yep, you stop when it’s not noticeable to anyone other than you.

I have no thoughts on it. I don’t really care. If someone feels the need to present something that is not their own original work as their own original work, whatever the medium, that’s completely on them. It speaks to something that’s not exactly right in their own internal workings.

I don’t. My images have no commercial value, I don’t do it for a living (though at least I do work in the photographic field), and I don’t really care to.

I remove my glasses and adjust the diopter in the VF to compensate for my vision.

I wouldn’t even be worried about the technical aspects of it at 30kph, I’d be worried about your family dealing with sand being kicked up. Then I’d be concerned about my equipment getting sand in it.

I completely disagree.

I’m old enough that when I went to school for photography we were still on film. 35mm, medium format, and 4x5. Yes, I learned a lot. Yes, there was a lot of hands on. But that doesn’t mean that there wouldn’t be when learning from YouTube. The biggest drawback I see from YouTube is that the presenter isn’t vetted and could be a stark raving lunatic who posts absolute garbage. I’m not saying all are, but there definitely some that are questionable. There’s no shortage of quality content out there though.

You can still absolutely learn and do hands on, there’s just no “grade” to be the stick. You have to be self driven. You have to be able to plan out a schedule. You have to seek out feedback. It’s all on you, and you’re only beholden to yourself.

There’s very little that hasn’t been done, and been done well.

Shifting gears and creating images that you yourself enjoy is far more rewarding that chasing recognition online. If that recognition comes, cool. If not, no biggie.