What is the best way to learn?

Focus... Focus on a subject and master it. Read all you can. Search other photo sites for your theme. See how other do it. Ask lots of questions.

Yes and practise.

Oh one more point that look me a while to get. Often the photo you see has had post processing done to it therefore do not think that is how it came out of their camera (took me a while to twig on to that one)

I bought a book called Petersen's Big Book of photography that was specifically for my first slr, an Olympus OM-1. I believe that was in '77 or '78.
That book was invaluable. Additionally, years of experience appying its principles have helped a lot.

Now that I'm shooting digital, the books I buy are for expanding my knowledge of post-processing in photoshop.

Anything else I need to know is usually found fairly quickly doing an internet search.

Don't be afraid to experiment. If you read a magazine that has a photo in it you like and the photographer tells you how they managed to take that shot, try the method and see what you can do with it. Eventually you will have an idea how to setup everything that comes to mind.

I also read the forums for information that doesn't come in the manuals.

In addition to all the great ideas so far, look in the non-credit course catalog of your community college. Many offer short one or two evening classes on various subjects. Ours offer titles like:
“So you’ve been asked to shoot your friend’s wedding”
“Shooting animals at the zoo”
“How to take better pictures with your digital camera”
“Basic composition with digital and manual cameras”
“Elements of portrait photography”

These courses aren’t very expensive, and in addition to the course material you will meet others in your exact situation. The right instructor can be a valuable resource in learning where and how to learn.

Good luck!

It depends on what you want to accomplish.If you want to shoot for fun then reading a lot and shooting a lot are the answer.If you want to really learn and pursue a carrer I would say go to school.I have learned things in school that I could never have had the opportunity to outside.The access to studios and equipment is a big advantage of college,as well as gear that you might not ever get to access otherwise such as medium format.Plus you will most likely learn darkroom skills that some will say are useless today,but they give you a foundation to understand things like how exposure affects images that Photoshop can never give you.

Quick, Easy , and No effort on my part. Like the Guinness ad says "Brilliant!!"
HaHa!

"Plagiarize those pictures that blow you away."

That's exactly what I did when I got started in fitness photography. I cut out the best pics I could find from fitness magazines and practiced with some local models.

internet did open my eyes.