In the current market, nobody seems to give a damn how technically complicated or expensive it was to make something, or if it represents a high level of craft or not; all they care about it the bragging rights to owning a particular signature on it. Conspicuous consumption. Airheads with too much money to waste.
Those of us who actually produce things ourselves are more likely to appreciate what someone else has done well, particularly in an analogous craft. I like all kinds of photographic prints if intelligently and tastefully made, even digital prints, and really don't prize technique just for the sake of technique. But if masterful control of technique takes you somewhere special, that's a different story. And to get there, one needs the drive and determination, and simply won't be happy with garden variety results. It shows. No pain, no gain.
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