I think this applies to a lot more than photography. Directly, I have knowledge of how it applies to both dancing and music as well, especially jazz. You definitely have to get out there and do it, but you have to spend time deliberately refining your ear, and deliberately refining your technique.

For dancing, it's much the same, you need to get out there and do it. But there is also a lot of time spent deliberately refining your ear for the music, your feeling for the beat what position your body should be in and how a lead should feel. Each play into the other but if one is neglected, it's hard to progress.