If you read back to the 1840s when emulsions were invented, he called it photography as in 'writing with light.' There were cameras before then but artists used them to project onto walls to draw from. As I understand the history, painting was quite realistic until photography took over that realistic niche, then painting became much more interpretive. From there painting and photography seesawed learning from each other's movements. So I guess we are all writing with light, but some of us scribble while others are creating the finest calligraphy.

Once in a while you see a calendar shot with the mountains in the background, the wildflowers at the photographers feet and the trees in the middle ground all perfectly focused because the lens was tilted down to match the plane of sharp focus to the angle created by the flowers trees and mountains. It was a must on view cameras because they had larger focal lengths with relatively less depth of field. I'd like to have one for landscape but greater DOF of a wide angle lens and the ability to use digital techniques to merge near and far focus shots keeps me from spending the money.

What I'd like to know is why did you replace that nice modern patio door in the first photo with the old door in need of painting in the second photo?

Now I might have a different take on the idea of taking many shots. I think there is something to be said for slowing down and being reflective. Put the camera on a tripod, to slow down, even if you have IS lenses. Look at the light and the shadows, where is the sun, what is the quality of light. Walk to different distances from the subject, different camera angles and camera heights, reflect on what is unique about your subject and ways the elements of the scene might make a worthwhile composition. Then hope the bird doesn't fly away.

I'm with you as an intermediate, but I found the book The Art of Photography by Bruce Barnbaum to be excellent. I found the ebook at my local library. It focuses about half on artistic principles such as line, form, color, contrast, etc. and the other half on digital techniques he uses to achieve a certain effect. One thing I like is that he says there are no rules, only artistic expression.