Well, now *that* is the question isn't it..
It *all* begins with the idea.
Work from the idea, your idea, whatever that may be, truthfully and sincerely, sacrificing all else for the original idea (and that can be difficult).
Everything else will fall into place.
People discuss buying gear, GAS attacks, etc. when they have no idea what they really want, or are about?! Do they know exactly why they are buying "more" for?
The *idea* selects the gear, selects the medium, developer, selects the method of final display, etc.
To find the "idea" is the trick. Originality.
*Note: not for the faint of heart. Stop now if not interested in "more"**
Tell me one thing you say or do that is uniquely your own and has never been said or done before? Not a lot...
We are all copiests and reflections of our environment, friends, family, what we see, etc.
Yes, yes, it has all been done before, and "everything is art therefore nothing is art", etc....
What I am talking about here is that thing that is genuinely yours.
You will go through Hell to find your truth, your voice.
That I feel is what your real question is. (I may be wrong)
I do not care how old you are, it is never too late and you are never too old to begin a journey. In fact, the older the better, you have already learned a lot from living.
But it is, as they say, difficult to teach an old dog...don't allow ingrained habits stop you from breaking any walls within your head/heart. the older people become the more shallow the attempts it seems...
Deal with your past. Understand it.
Find your idea ..no matter how immature it may at first seem, and work without getting sidetracked or losing your way towards that thing that originally motivated you.
Your first attempts at originality will be like baby steps. Don't be embarrassed. they are genuine, and that is what you are after.
In photography it is so easy to copy other's ideas.....don't do it.
Likewise, studying and understanding the craft is very important. how others have done it and do it, etc...
As odd as this is to say (as we do not know one another), please trust me on this.....do not study anything too much.
I am a studier/researcher by nature. I want to know and learn everything, details, dates, you name it...to no end.
IT WILL PARALYZE YOU.
Studying anything too much, even analyzing too much your ideas, will render them sterile and dead.
Feelings, genuine feelings count far more. A look at all the great artists and and all the dilettantes will instatnly reflec this.
These fleeting brilliant ideas we have during the day that we wished we could remember later and write down....GET A NOTEBOOK. CARRY IT WITH YOU ALWAYS.
And personally, I never forget the average viewer.
Art/expression/ideas are intended to be shared. We are already egotistical..all artists are..it is about us after all. We are trying to understand ourselves in relation to all else!
Art is a bridge between the creator and the viewer. I feel it is always a challenge above all to create that bridge as the human mind is very complex and our ideas likewise can be.
Contemporary art is a perfect example. I used to think they were such charlattans, what is this sillyness?!
Serioulsy, study modern art movements, it will expand your mind tremendously...photography and contemporary art go hand in hand.
I know people who practiced traditional painting and moved onto installation art. Many photogs as well...Allow yourself to learn and understand it..whether you agree or not I fel it will help assist growth and originality more than ANYTHING else.
You are not wasting time studying photog. You will always use it no matter where it takes you.
Just remember to listen to what your blood is whispering to you. It is so easy to push away thoughts, your gut. Dont be afraid if it takes you away from photography.
When we invest so much time in something we are so afraid of making a change due to the time invested...even if in our heart we know the change is the right one and will encourage growth.
Anyway, it is strange how we must reach the complete bottom to then *shoot* upwards afterwards....you will probably find that too..if you choose to continue...and others here I am sure can certainly relate.
Best
D