1. the power of seeing; appreciative or discriminating visual perception

But this definition doesn’t cover it and doesn’t make it translatable to actions. What do you have to do to get this “eye”?

To get the “eye” you have to develop it. It is a talent, no doubt, but like any talent must be developed through practice. And this is what I did to develop that talent: I took hundreds of shots of certain subjects, then studied each one for its merits and flaws. Then I went back and took more shots and repeated the process over the years to become better and better at discerning what is g0ing to be worth taking and what is not. 

Secondly I brushed up on some photographic laws and camera basics that you must have just to begin to take good photographs. Some of these included the Rule of Thirds, depth of field and exposure values, to name a few.  As I practiced, I began to act using these basics without thinking about it. They became a part of the process every time I did a shoot.

Third and most important I create a passion in myself for the subject. I will commune with the subject in a way to permeate its essence and then try in every way I can to capture that essence using all my tools. I fall in love with the subject! It seems odd, but whenever I do a portrait session I have a great affinity for the person and they can feel it. That affinity and care comes across and it reflects in the images. It has to be real. In doing landscapes or other subjects I find that I only want to photograph those things that make me fall in love with them – a beautiful sunset, a laughing child, a stolen moment of humor. You have to take your camera with you to at all times so you don’t miss capturing that fleeting moment that will be forever gone.

Realize a good photographer does not just capture light and be damned what it looks like. A good photographer always deeply cares about his subject and will go to great lengths to get  the essence to shine through in the final image.