It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been making photographs, there’s always room for improvement. I recently purchased a copy of “The Photographer’s Mind: Creative Thinking for Better Digital Photographs,” by Mike Freeman. As an active photographer I know all too well how easy it is to fall into a routine. These habits can stifle creativity. It’s just all too easy to keep repeating what’s worked in the past without experimenting or finding new tricks, angles and ideas. There’s a reason you recognize your favorite band when their newest song, one you’ve never heard before, plays across the radio. All artists tend to develop individual, recognizable styles. The same is true for photographers. Without a little effort, and an occassional boot to the rump, we reach a stalemate and cease growing artistically. So get out there and try something different, read a book, checkout a new photo blog. Don’t let your artistic rock collect moss.