I took 2 years of photography in high school. There’s a lot to learn where processing, developing, and taking phtoos is concerned. It really helps to have someone take you through it step by step. I think most of the people who say it’s not worth it are either being angsty about their teachers or expected their teachers to make them talented. They can only tell you so much – the rest is up to you.
I still take photos sometimes. They’re on my flickr.