Digital makes it so much easier. No bricks of film, no worrying about airport X-rays, etc.

I sold all my medium format equipment in 2005 after Canon came out with the 12 megapixel EOS 1Ds.

It is so much better to get the right exposure than to have to mess around later with Photoshop.

Think about the photo you want to make beforehand. Then do it, but also don't be blind to better options that present themselves at the location. Be flexible, and be patient. Leave ego at home. Get the photo before you yell at the asshole, not after.

I have a completely worthless degree: a BS in Photojournalism from Boston University (BU). With this degree, I suppose I could have gotten a job teaching grade school kids how to photograph their relatives, but knowing about B&W photo processing and developing and how to shoot a picture story is good basic info that every photographer should have.

With the Internet, you can get lots of info in advance, but a local person who knows how to work the system is invaluable.

Pre-planning is essential. Research, research, research. If you are going to do a portrait, know as much as you can about the person beforehand. The web makes this very easy.