Every photographer, from weekend enthusiast to professional, can learn by studying the "greats". In Why Photographs Work, author/photographer George Barr analyzes 52 striking images by some of the world's top photographers. Accompanying Barr's analysis of each image is an explanation by the photographer describing the circumstances of making the image, including not only the how, but also the why. Also included is each photographer's biography, a reference to his or her websites and publications, and brief technical descriptions of the equipment used in making each image.

With guidance from Barr, we learn to decipher that certain intangible "something" that makes an image go beyond the ordinary. As we gain an understanding of and appreciation for the elements that make an image truly great, we are bound to improve our own images as well.

Included are images by:Charles Cramer, Bruce Barnbaum, Harald Mante, Dan Burkholder, Nick Brandt, Hans Strand, Roman Loranc, Huntington Witherill, Susan Burnstine, Ryuijie, Beth Moon, Phil Borges, Shaun O'Boyle, David Ward, Michael Levin, Michael Reichmann, Michael Kenna, Cole Thompson, George Jerkovich, Bengt Ekelberg, Sandra Davis, Brian Kosoff, Joe Lipka, Gordon Lewis, Lawrence Chrismas, Craig Richards, and many more.

1. Chapter 1 Circular Chimney

   1. George’s Analysis

   2. The Photographer’s Perspective

   3. Biography

   4. Technical

2. Chapter 2 Iparo

   1. George’s Analysis

   2. The Photographer’s Perspective

   3. Biography

   4. Technical

3. Chapter 3 Elephant Drinking

   1. George’s Analysis

   2. The Photographer’s Perspective

   3. Biography

   4. Technical

4. Chapter 4 Glowing Autumn Forest

   1. George’s Analysis

   2. The Photographer’s Perspective

   3. Biography

   4. Technical

5. Chapter 5 Tree and Pond in Fall

   1. George’s Analysis

   2. The Photographer’s Perspective

   3. Biography

   4. Technical

6. Chapter 6 Bridge To Nowhere

   1. George’s Analysis

   2. The Photographer’s Perspective

   3. Biography

   4. Technical

7. Chapter 7 Pillow of Sickness

   1. George’s Analysis

   2. The Photographer’s Perspective

   3. Biography

   4. Technical

8. Chapter 8 Two Cape Breton Miners

   1. George’s Analysis

   2. The Photographer’s Perspective

   3. Biography

   4. Technical

9. Chapter 9 Traigh Eais Barra

   1. George’s Analysis

   2. The Photographer’s Perspective

   3. Biography

   4. Technical

10. Chapter 10 Tree Detail, Autumn, Zion Valley, Utah

    1. George’s Analysis

    2. The Photographer’s Perspective

    3. Biography

    4. Technical

11. Chapter 11 Stones in Window

    1. George’s Analysis

    2. The Photographer’s Perspective

    3. Biography

    4. Technical

12. Chapter 12 Moore Hall Interior # 1

    1. George’s Analysis

    2. The Photographer’s Perspective

    3. Biography

    4. Technical

13. Chapter 13 Shiprock Storm

    1. George’s Analysis

    2. The Photographer’s Perspective

    3. Biography

    4. Technical

14. Chapter 14 Manipulation

    1. George’s Analysis

    2. The Photographer’s Perspective

    3. Biography

    4. Technical

15. Chapter 15 Sleeping Halls

    1. George’s Analysis

    2. The Photographer’s Perspective

    3. Biography

    4. Technical

16. Chapter 16 Comp 16/07

    1. George’s Analysis

    2. The Photographer’s Perspective

    3. Biography

    4. Technical

17. Chapter 17 White Delphinium

    1. George’s Analysis

    2. The Photographer’s Perspective

    3. Biography

    4. Technical

18. Chapter 18 Caixa 1

    1. George’s Analysis

    2. The Photographer’s Perspective

    3. Biography

    4. Technical

19. Chapter 19 The Temple Of Godless Aphaia

    1. George’s Analysis

    2. The Photographer’s Perspective

    3. Biography

    4. Technical

20. Chapter 20 Sunflower Coal

    1. George’s Analysis

    2. The Photographer’s Perspective

    3. Biography

    4. Technical

21. Chapter 21 Fugue

    1. George’s Analysis

    2. The Photographer’s Perspective

    3. Biography

    4. Technical

22. Chapter 22 Huangshan Mountains, Study # 19

    1. George’s Analysis

    2. The Photographer’s Perspective

    3. Biography

    4. Technical

23. Chapter 23 Three Crosses

    1. George’s Analysis

    2. The Photographer’s Perspective

    3. Biography

    4. Technical

24. Chapter 24 Code

    1. George’s Analysis

    2. The Photographer’s Perspective

    3. Biography

    4. Technical

25. Chapter 25 Bluefin Trevally Herding Akule

    1. George’s Analysis

    2. The Photographer’s Perspective

    3. Biography

    4. Technical

26. Chapter 26 Precipitation

    1. George’s Analysis

    2. The Photographer’s Perspective

    3. Biography

    4. Technical

27. Chapter 27 Labyrinth 01

    1. George’s Analysis

    2. The Photographer’s Perspective

    3. Biography

    4. Technical Information

28. Chapter 28 Franciscan Church, Vilnius

    1. George’s Analysis

    2. The Photographer’s Perspective

    3. Biography

    4. Technical

29. Chapter 29 Color Prayer Flags – 2

    1. George’s Analysis

    2. The Photographer’s Perspective

    3. Biography

    4. Technical

30. Chapter 30 Fire & Ice

    1. George’s Analysis

    2. The Photographer’s Perspective

    3. Biography

    4. Technical

31. Chapter 31 Terminal Mirage 8

    1. George’s Analysis

    2. The Photographer’s Perspective

    3. Biography

    4. Technical

32. Chapter 32 Two People/Two Doors – Carlow, Ireland

    1. George’s Analysis

    2. The Photographer’s Perspective

    3. Biography

    4. Technical

33. Chapter 33 Dancer

    1. George’s Analysis

    2. The Photographer’s Perspective

    3. Biography

    4. Technical

34. Chapter 34 Sir Edward James Garden Sculpture

    1. George’s Analysis

    2. The Photographer’s Perspective

    3. Biography

    4. Technical

35. Chapter 35 Trumpet Plant

    1. George’s Analysis

    2. The Photographer’s Perspective

    3. Biography

    4. Technical

36. Chapter 36 Asylum Doors

    1. George’s Analysis

    2. The Photographer’s Perspective

    3. Biography

    4. Technical

37. Chapter 37 Waiting

    1. George’s Analysis

    2. The Photographer’s Perspective

    3. Biography

    4. Technical

38. Chapter 38 Front Towards Enemy

    1. George’s Analysis

    2. The Photographer’s Perspective

    3. Biography

    4. Technical

39. Chapter 39 Melange Un

    1. George’s Analysis

    2. The Photographer’s Perspective

    3. Biography

    4. Technical

40. Chapter 40 A June Evening, Hornby Island

    1. George’s Analysis

    2. The Photographer’s Perspective

    3. Biography

    4. Technical

41. Chapter 41 Vincente, Nebaj El Quiché

    1. George’s Analysis

    2. The Photographer’s Perspective

    3. Biography

    4. Technical

42. Chapter 42 Dancing in Bubbles

    1. George’s Analysis

    2. The Photographer’s Perspective

    3. Biography

    4. Technical

43. Chapter 43 Black Oaks, Morning Mist, Yosemite Valley, California

    1. George’s Analysis

    2. The Photographer’s Perspective

    3. Biography

    4. Technical

44. Chapter 44 River, South Coast, Iceland

    1. George’s Analysis

    2. The Photographer’s Perspective

    3. Biography

    4. Technical

45. Chapter 45 Auschwitz # 14

    1. George’s Analysis

    2. The Photographer’s Perspective

    3. Biography

    4. Technical

46. Chapter 46 Fe2O3 # 6, Kos, Greece

    1. George’s Analysis

    2. The Photographer’s Perspective

    3. Biography

    4. Technical

47. Chapter 47 Times Square

    1. George’s Analysis

    2. The Photographer’s Perspective

    3. Biography

    4. Technical

48. Chapter 48 Mrs. Nishimoto

    1. George’s Analysis

    2. The Photographer’s Perspective

    3. Biography

    4. Technical

49. Chapter 49 Birch and Window, Colmar, France

    1. George’s Analysis

    2. The Photographer’s Perspective

    3. Biography

    4. Technical

50. Chapter 50 Chrome Handle

    1. George’s Analysis

    2. The Photographer’s Perspective

    3. Biography

    4. Technical

51. Chapter 51 Descending Angel

    1. George’s Analysis

    2. The Photographer’s Perspective

    3. Biography

    4. Technical

52. Chapter 52 Tulips #55

    1. George’s Analysis

    2. The Photographer’s Perspective

    3. Biography

    4. Technical

1. Appendix Recommended Photographers

   1. A

   2. B

   3. C

   4. D

   5. E

   6. F

   7. G

   8. H

   9. I

   10. J

   11. K

   12. L

   13. M

   14. N

   15. O

   16. P

   17. R

   18. S

   19. T

   20. U

   21. V

   22. W

2. Appendix