Photography is a joyful experience. I've done it for nearly 60 years. I stopped thinking of other photographers as competition long ago.

I do have one big challenger, though.

Me.

The competition is with yourself, not someone else.

Will you scrap a bit harder to get what you want?

Will you get up a little earlier, venture a little farther, try again and again to wrestle that vision onto a piece of film or a light sensitive screen?

Will you take criticism when it is given, understand when it is right and when it can be ignored?

And look to your own work for growth.

Nobody lives your life but you.

And above all, LOVE the fact that you are able to make a photograph that appeals to you.