to learn to develop your creattive side i can not recomend strongly enough this book "LEARNING TO SEE CREATIVELY" by Bryan Petersen. he writes in a very easy going way, his photos are fantastic, and his book has turned me into a much more creative photographer. since reading it, and i reread that book and his understanding exposure every 6 months, i have not had one day of photo block and always come back to the apartment with something. Scott Kelby has a very down to earth, funny style, if you have an overly serious personality type, your gonna hate him. check out any of his books before you commit. also heres an idea. look through all different styles of magazines and look at the photos, look at the lighting, the foreground the background etc make a pile of photos you like, then look for paterns like you like close ups, or wide angels, etc. knowing your strengths then go out and shoot your weaknesses. for me i hardely ever use wide angles, love gettin close details with telephotos. thanks to this thread, it reminded me that the next time i go out with lucille (my trusty d-100) im gonna put a wide angle lens on and take only that lens. it stimulates creativity. ive done the same with my nifty fifty.

Developing the 'PHOTOGRAPHER'S EYE' comes from experience. No book or photography course can teach you that. And that is your most valuable asset as a photographer.

Try not to get over loaded with technology. Being knowledgable of physics and mathamitcs can be helpful but it will not make you a good photographer.

There are a lot of aeronautical engineers who cannot fly an airplane.

Learn the basics. Shutter speed, Apature settings I.S.O and resolutions. And remember don's see the picture. See the photography.