Oh, my goodness, thank you for your comments. After posting and receiving one sane response and then seeing the issue become a matter of US vs THEM, I was beginning to lose faith.

While I decided that I wouldn't get involved in the back and forth that so often evolves from comments that were intended to be simple queries, your response convinced me that there are members of this group who can look at an issue with objectivity and draw logical conclusions.

I have never read a book on composition. When asked about composition by one of my students, I generally put my hand on my chest and say, "It comes from in here." But many people can't relate to such an abstract explanation. They want, and need, discussions of rule of thirds, negative space, leading lines, triangles, and on and on. As their teacher, I feel it's my job to point them to sources from which they can glean formal, more detailed explanations. It's a great thing when a student sees me hold my hand to my chest, smiles knowingly, and says. "Yeah, I get it."

But not everyone "gets it" so easily. Some people need more formal instruction. "Pedantic" has become a bad word nowadays, but sometimes being pedantic ensures that the baseline information is delivered. Sometimes a teacher has to settle for delivering the skeleton of a lesson and pray that the student will gain the understanding that allows the flesh and blood to be attached through experience and practice.

As I said in my original post, it's been years since I began my journey in photography. I didn't hear about the rule of thirds or leading lines or any of that stuff until I joined my first camera club; that was about nine years ago. By that time I'd had over a dozen images appear as magazing covers, had been in a gallery where I sold many photographs, and had been offered an opportunity to teach photography at a major botanical garden.

I'm not asking anyone to praise or even follow me. All I'm asking is "Do you know of a book that will give a neophyte some insights into good composition?" If you don't, thank you for reading. Now move on. If you do know of such a book, please share the title. Don't tell me what I can and cannot teach. All I'm trying to do is help someone become a better photographer even if he doesn't understand what it means when i place my hand over my heart. Use another discussion to air your feelings about what can or cannot be taught; I have a job to do.

I'm an old photographer--I started in 1968--so when a student asked me to recommend a book that addresses composition, I was stumped. I've been photographing for so long I can't even remember where I learned how to compose an image. I'm not sure I ever read a book; I suspect that I just used my intuition.

I could probably write a book on composition, but knowing which to tell someone to read is not within my ken. Please think about this and let me know what you'd recommend. Thank you in advance.

Been there; it's a place that's certainly worth visiting.

I hate to be contrary, but I'd be most interested in the Norton that's sitting next to the Indian. It's a Manxman if I'm not mistaken. That was one heck of a bike.

A very happy anniversary to you and the lovely lady to whom you're wed. Let's toast to many more years.

He might have just misplaced a vowel.

That’s a totally different situation.

This beautiful image would have benefited greatly by having a sheet of black card stock held behind the sprig of blossoms.

I am so impressed by the OP’s thoughtful approach to this discussion and so disappointed by the inability of all those who have found it impossible to follow the directions. The OP asked us to, “[f]or the moment, set aside the photographer. Pretend he is nobody and the photo not famous. Just focus on the photo and its visible qualities.” Very few have been able to do what they were asked.

I’ll try.

I looked at the image for a long time, trying to figure out what the photographer wanted me to see. I couldn’t figure it out. The crosses that some find compelling didn’t even register for me until I really worked hard at it. The moon is so small I discounted its importance.The structures are undistinguished, so I don’t know if they are important. The clouds are so effected by the long exposure that they have lost their ethereal appeal. In short, had I taken the photograph, I wouldn’t have bothered to print it.

I like images that conger up a story. The story produced by this image begins, “Once upon a time there was a really boring place that was the absolute antithesis of Yosemite National Park, where both great and mediocre photographers went to create art.”

Gorgeous image.

Great set!

I wonder if that’s Jerry’s point. I know that I get bored sick by all the eagle, hummingbird, great horned owl, egret, ad nauseum images that are so alike as to be boring. If you get a shot of a bald eagle slicing pickles to place in tuna salad, post it. If you get a shot of a bald eagle perched in a tree or flying while clutching a fish, love it and keep it in your collection. Collect and share dynamic images, not cliches.

I’ve got to be honest with you: Gators scare the beejeebers out of me. Great shot, but I’d have used a 7.62mm.

“Horse In Fog” and “Light On Wire” are my picks, but that’s a great set of images.

It could be the cable releases. They can weigh you down. Great post.