Always Be At The End Of The Line

No matter which way it faces. You'll do better to be first or last. This didn't used to be the case, and it certainly doesn't apply to the military. With them, firsts, lasts, and volunteers are often fondly remembered once a year... But with photography you can do a lot of good on the extremes. a. First to get a new camera or lens - or a new piece of software. The hobby of photography may reward the early adopter with club merit and novelty value in monthly contests. If you are the first in the trend you might get first in the contest - for a while. Business firsters may get the attention of their clients with the freshest equipment or a new look. Again the idea is to cash in on the novelty value while no-one quite knows how to do it. Then, even if you are unsure yourself, you get paid before you have to get good. Beware of being too far ahead of the regiment for fear of catching musket balls in the back. If you are a beta-tester for things, be aware that you are acting as a professional guinea pig and people have been eating guinea pigs for centuries. Things can go wrong and if you are the one associated with the disaster, it will be hard to shake the blame. b. Being last means you know know it all works. Heck, everybody knows how it works, and most of the competitors have gotten bored with it and gone on to try new stuff. But the judges and the clients may want a feeling of comfort and will reward seeing it again = done very well. They don't call 'em classics for nothing, and classics sell. You can pick up the equipment to do the last of something pretty cheap, as long as your timing is good. Be careful - too late means items vanish and can only be called back by means of collector sites. When the photographic train has well and truly pulled out of the station and passed the water tower it is futile to try to chase it along the tracks.