[k__]

THIS.

I know many people who do stuff for ages now, but they aren't someone you would ask for advice, because they're so bad at it.

I know two photographs, one is mediocre and does this stuff for over 6 years now (professionally for money) and one is superb and does it for 2 years (for fun).

Most people who get involved with a specific thing never get to the practice part. They just read a bunch of stuff, do a bit of it and think they know everything...