Is all of our photography practice? Do we practice creating images like doctors practice medicine?
Maybe it is more akin to playing music. Sometimes we experiment and try new things when nobody will see and when we are on the spot we need to perform.
Fortunately in many circumstances if we get a bad shot we can see it and do another one. You can’t redo a sour note once it’s out there. Plus we can practice while performing, trying new things, pushing the envelope a little as long as we have the safe shots covered.