When is it Time to Call in a Pro?

I saw a video that semi-featured Andrew Keen on TechCrunch and this is after seeing him on the Colbert Report. So, he has made the rounds with his 'Cult of the Amateur' shtick.

As someone who wants to have a voice yet recognizes very clearly his limits, I have argued both sides in my head for weeks.

The main area is photography.

I am old school. 14 years ago, I was one of those geeky guys taking the pictures of all the cool kids for my high school yearbook (my apologies to the yearbook photographers who were actually cool). I had my used Canon AE-1 and shot/developed my own black and white 35mm prints. When I needed a picture for an article I was writing , I'd just go and take it.

After my adviser persuaded me against a Social Work/Photography double major. I took a couple of classes in college and ended up working in the technical side of publishing for a newspaper and two publishing companies. So, I've clearly been around the block. I know what I like.

Now, I take pictures of the kiddo and mostly to document events that would normally never be covered. This year I finally forked over the cash for a DSLR and the enjoyment of photography is all back for me (without the frustration of buying film, waiting to see what your pics look like, printing test strips, and the cost of paper).

I am however in no way a professional! I don't even play one on TV. I feel like I walk a narrow line between "Consumer Guru" and "Wannabe Photog."

I love a lot about Web 2.0. There are students doing videos that are outstandingly creative. I am able to achieve things that would take (me) weeks to do in Final Cut Pro in minutes. And, I still believe you get what you pay for. I just don't know.

But, does blogging make you a wannabe writer?