Where can I bring my camera in public without looking like a moron?

Detail Man wrote:

60,000+ shots in 6+ years with ever higher performance cameras, going Raw, and ever learning more about what I am doing has barely increased my "keeper" and "processed gem" rates since my first little P&S in 2006. One's scrutiny and one's standards tend to also increase, as well.

Interesting subjects, favorable lighting, taking lots of shots with somewhat varying perspectives, controlling exposure, focus, and camera-stability, lovingly polishing selected "keepers" in processing, and blood, sweat, and tears are the key. Better hardware can help somewhat.

Nothing about it is easy. Little about it seems like something that I have "created". When shots find me, I try to be a faithful witness, and a dedicated "polisher". The rest is mysterious fortune ...