Tried, just used the camera (to the dismay of my parents who had to foot the bill) discovered bulk film and books.
I think one of the first I bought was The Penguin Book of Photography and
a jumble sale Henri Cartier Bresson (progressed to Helmut Newton

)
Photos through a magnifiying glass then dioptre lenses tubes etc.fascinating
new world then a telephoto 300mm Sniper and a mirror lense colour slides
and finally digital