An observation which is somewhere between an idea and a universal truth. Verified many ways, including look at photographs on facebook of some people who may read this and going back in their albums to see their photos.
Most people when they begin taking photos. They show them to their friends and their friends want to see them. They say the like them. Then they become better photographers and have great compositions and techniques. They show their photos to their friends. Their friends say " you are a good photographer." But not I like that or can you print that for me as they used to. The photographer gets this do it right to show other photographers thing. And they do it. But where their heart was in their first photos, their heart is now hidden under all the skills and doing it right. They are shooting for other photographers who appreciate all the skill, They are no longer shooting for people who like a nice photo. The passion is not lost, just muted. And photographer critique. I like the sharpness, I like the colors, I like the.... Whatever it is they critique the best aspect which encourages a thought of "I did that right" Then you do it more. And you leave behind people who looked at a photo and said that is beautiful or I want that. We show photos on here to each other. And value each others opinions. And photos the masses love and treasure have to come from someplace besides photographers. We go about happily shutting out the world. And they go happily about shutting out photographers enjoying their cell phones and preferring a photo that is fun or feels good to what we do. The last wedding I shot I was asked to not edit the photos and do all the photography stuff. She wanted real photos like a cell phone. I gave her the real look she wanted by editing. But she never knew.
Photographers love shallow depth of field with everything blurred out. The most honest comment I read was "why did not hang a blanket behind it?' We like that fake look of a subject and nothing behind it. We pay money to get separation. The general populace likes context and a real look. And the comment was right. I have seen blankets I could use to get the same shot with a cell phone. But why? Many times, the colors are not really blended for a best look. Since everything will be blurred away, it is not paid attention. I had the opportunity to use many lens when I was shooting and selling prints and stock in my younger days. My best selling photos came from a 50mm/2.0 lens. The more expensive 50/0.95 never paid for itself and had to go finally. I would see people in the gallery. They would look and even saw "WOW." Then buy something that has a transition from focus to out of focus which gave a sense of depth rather than just 2 layers. But photographers love the look and since we shoot for other photographers and not people any more it all works out.
I know I am too old and time has passed me by. The future is not mind. But I remember with fondness the days when photographers shot for people and there were weekly magazines filled with photos. I still have a few Life photography books and get a couple magazines for the photos.
This is again a general comment. As there are many photographers making a very good living from selling prints. I buy them myself. But it seems among expiring amateurs who are learning on social media the goal has changed to impress other photographers rather than tell a story to a wide audience. And people tell me that online in discussions. Including one comment, "The best photo, no one will like." My reply was why take a photo if no one will look at it. After the trashing starting the reply I did not find out if he had a point. There are in fact among famous photographers some who shot for themselves and kept all their negatives and photos in boxes under their beds. To become famous when their relatives discovered them and sold the prints. Interesting stories if you look at the people behind the photos in art museums. And as a Bohemian, I understand doing that also. Somewhere there is a balance.