Book ~ "Take Your Photography to the Next Level: From Inspiration to Image" (2007) George Barr

From Goodreads ~ This book is for the photographer who strives to achieve a higher level of results in their work. Take Your Photography to the Next Level is based on a series of essays originally featured on the popular Luminous Landscape website. Barr tackles some of the rarely discussed, yet essential aspects of successful photography. Here is where photographers will learn what is required in order to grow in their creativity and to gain a deeper understanding of their craft. With a foreward by Michael Reichmann. 

Topics include: 

• Creativity Dealing with disappointment 
• Developing an "eye" 
• Making stronger images 
• What photographs well 
• Where to go looking for the best photographic subjects 
• How to approach subject material 
• A great image is just around the corner 
• Dealing with failure 
• Mind games 
• Becoming a self-aware photographer 
• Framing, cropping, & manipulating prints to create mood and transmit your message

I have three cameras ... a Canon point-and-shoot that is usually in my purse, a Nikon D5100 DSLR along with some lenses, and a Nikon CoolPix (that's in between the two) that I use often.  Needless to say, I take a lot of pictures.  Gord and I took some classes last year to learn how to (1) use our cameras in other than auto mode and (2) take photographs, not just pictures.

I'm still an amateur and like reading photography books to see what professionals take pictures of and how they do it.

On a positive note, I thought most of the pictures in this book were really cool.

But to me it seemed like a book the author has written for himself about himself.  Yes, there is some information but I found it was was at a really high level.  He states upfront that this is not a book about "technical matters" but instead "tackles the more difficult questions in photography" ... alas it fell flat for me.  I wasn't crazy about the writing style and found it boring.