Hobby? I take that as an insult!!!

Just kidding! Thanks for taking the time to write down your kind comments!

Actually I've been doing photography on and off as a business since 1967. Currently I sell my image through galleries and believe it or not, through Flickr. The day I posted this image on my Facebook page, 3 people ordered prints - including a 24x38 metal print. Funny thing is that I was at NYC's Central Park on an entirely different quest - searching for a ruby crowned kinglet that had been sighted earlier in the week, so I had all the wrong lenses, or so I thought. Not having seen it, it was getting late and I was losing light, so I started thinking of leaving the area where it had been seen. It started to sprinkle, so I packed everything in a hurry and I discovered that I had my 24-70 with me only because I forgot to leave it home. I chose a series of paths that led me by the lake and the birdge - and all of a sudden the skies cleared a bit, the breeze completely subsided, and I was able to take this 3 shot pano with the 24-70. I was able to get it in spite of myself.

Hi Folks - I have spent way too much time looking out through the lens and not enough time looking back into my experience base. I am woefully weak in composition basics and advanced aspects of composition and would like advice on resources you folks have cherished concerning composition. Much like some of the great references for exposure (Perfect Exposure by Michael Freeman or The Optimum Digital Exposure by Bob DiNatale) there must be great references for the art of composition. Please share your favorites. Suggestions that I take some educational classes probably would be very beneficial, but that is not a practical option right now. Are there websites, books, youtube possibilities? There must be. What are your "go to" sources for composition inspiration? I have Googled the Net and plan to continue that, but specifically, I am interested in how you all got your skills honed.