Rating: 
Summary: Not the Best
Review: Learning to be a photographer is about more than focusing and exposure. One of the most important and difficult things is learning what to take a picture of, and then designing an image that expresses something about its subject. Many authors of photography books talk about teaching the photographer to see. I think of that as being the process of selecting a subject and then deciding how it should look to capture the photographer's vision of it. Bryan Patterson promises to teach that in the revised edition of "Learning to See Creatively". Unfortunately, he doesn't keep his promise.
It's not that this is a poor book. The author talks about the elements of photographic design like line, shape, form, texture, pattern and color. Unfortunately he doesn't link these elements to the photographer's vision. It's as if one knew nothing about tools, had a plumbing problem, and was presented with a wrench. It would be nice to be told how to use the wrench to solve the problem. If you know how to relate the tools to the problem, you don't need this book.
He also talks about composition and guidelines like the rule of thirds, or frame within a frame. But even here, he doesn't make the connection to vision. Even the chapter called "Expanding Your Vision" turns out to be a discussion of the characteristics of lenses of different focal lengths.
There are chapters on digital photography and photographic careers but they look like they were added on to the work because somebody thought that was what would help the book sell.
Peterson's photographs are good. When he explains why he made the design and composition choices for a particular picture you can see some relationship of technique to vision. It's also interesting to occasionally see a comparison of the same subject handled two different ways. But unfortunately the author doesn't take the opportunity to relate similar pictures to photographic vision.
This might be a good enough book for the intermediate photographer who isn't really ready to work on his or her vision, although I much prefer Brenda Tharp's "Creative Nature & Outdoor Photography" which covers the same ground in a more concise way.
One might think that you can't teach someone to see creatively. That may be true, but Freeman Patterson's old standby, "Photography & the art of seeing" comes a lot closer than this volume. And books like those by Galen Rowell or Tony Sweet do a much better job of relating technique to the visions of their authors.
Rating: 
Summary: The Next Level of Composition
Review: Many (probably the vast majority from my experience) of books on photographic composition never go beyond "the rule of thirds" or "watch for S-curves". Although this book, by necessity, repeats much of the information we've all heard many times before, if other ways to goes to the next level by applying some old "rules" in unique ways or by breaking the "rules" in ways that add impact. The pictures are very good and by themselves would make the book worthwhile. I sometimes struggle for subjects in my immediate area, but this book encourages me to look at relatively common sights in a new way. Clears out photographers block, in a matter of speaking.
Rating: 
Summary: "An Introduction to" ...Learning to Seeing Creatively
Review: Maybe I should attribute some blame to myself first for assuming that this book would deliver some "creative" ideas and criticism for composing photographs. Although an amateur photographer (advanced with a focus on landscape) I feel that I already have a strong grasp of basic photographic composition concepts.In purchasing this book I was looking for the type of compositional analysis that critiques "good" photos with a view to making them "great" photos. In this book the author certainly does not stimulate anything (for me at least) beyond moving from taking "snap-shots" to taking a basic composed "photograph". A useful introductory book but certainly not what I could term useful for the advanced; amateur or professional.
Rating:
Summary: A casual book for novices
Review: Nice photo examples, although neither really inspiring nor stunning.
Technical details are superficial and sketchy.
Not worth keeping it as a reference book.
Rating:
Summary: A casual book for novices
Review: Nice photo examples, although neither really inspiring nor stunning.
Technical details very superficial and sketchy.
Not worth keeping it as a reference book.
Rating: 
Summary: Full of ideas to take your photography to the next level
Review: Of the many books that purport to add compositional and other creative skills to your arsenal of photographic tools, this is the only one I have read that really delivers. Perhaps the most useful aspect of this book is that it shows how, by making one or two changes (camera angle, lens selection, time of day, etc.) the author took what would been a snapshot to a magazine cover or poster quality photo. In most cases, there are "before and after" photos for comparison, and there is always a complete but concise (and very understandable) explanation of the techniques he employed. Whether you are a beginner, or you have been doing serious amateur and professional photography for nearly forty years (as I have), I'd bet you can learn something from this book. Of three bookcases full of books on photography, this is one of the few that I consider indispensible. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: A 4-Star primer on composition for aspiring photographers
Review: The companion to Peterson's "Understanding Exposure". Basic fundamentals of composition demonstrates that seeing creatively is an acquired skill that can be developed. All Peterson's books deserve a place on your shelf.
Rating:
Summary: I can see clearly now
Review: Think there's nothing to take photos of around the neighborhood? Think again... Tired of going places and taking pictures of your trip only to be disappointed to find obstructions detracting from what you thought was a fantastic shot? This book is the solution! This is one book I couldn't wait to start reading again, even before I finished it. Never again will I shy away from cloudy days or taking a second look on how I can find a shot where I thought none existed before. If you like photography, this is one book you should consider for your collection.
Rating:
Summary: Comprehensive and Easy To Understand
Review: This book is extremely well written and easy to comprehend. Peterson has, through excellent photographic examples, shown the reader how to look at their subjects with an entirely different perspective. He shows his techniques through pictures of the same subject taken with a "different point of view", and points out what is right and what could be improved upon, and how. I would highly recomend this publication to anyone who is serious about improving the quality and content of their pictures.
Rating:
Summary: A must-have book!
Review: This book is great! I felt like I had lost my ability to "see" and was just shooting pictures for the purpose of shooting. This book got me excited about photography again and helped me to find my creative eye. Whether you're a beginner, advanced amateur or semi-pro photographer, this is a good book to have in your library. Peterson explains everything in detail as to how he got his picture.
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