A Heavy Trigger Finger

Before I Hit the Shutter, I ask:

• 'Taking' a snapshot or 'Making' a picture? 'Taking' & 'Making' are like chalk & cheese. A lot more goes into the making!
• What mode do I want to shoot in?  Creative mode: Manual, Av, Tv or Auto mode: Auto or a pre-programed mode?  
• What F-Stop or Shutter Speed am I going to use? 
• What format do I want to shoot?   RAW or jpeg? or both? ..RAW rules the roost!!
• What’s my ISO? Is it fast/slow enough?  Too grainy for the shot?
• What White Balance am I set on?  never mind, more often than not, PP to the rescue!
• What Metering Mode should I be on?  Evaluative, Partial, Spot or CWA
• What Colour setting do I need? 
• Am I going to use Manual or AF? 
• Do I want to use Auto Exposure Bracketing for the shot?  HDR in mind..?
• Am I going to use a Flash? And how am I going to use it? .. aah, this is a toughie alright!!
• What story am I trying to tell?   the photograph should speak for itself..!!
• Do I need to change lenses? If so, which one?  Scratch your head...This is an all time toughie!!
• Am I shooting in Landscape or Portrait perspective, or even a jaunty angle? 
• Do I need to use a Tripod? 
• Will I use the Rule of Thirds or break it? 
• What other rules should I be following?  the Sunny f16 rule or perhaps the Tripod rule
• Are there Leading Lines, Horizontal lines, Diagonals I can use in the shot? 
• What about finding an S-curve for the leading line? 
• Is there any thing I can use to Frame my picture?  eg. Tree branches. 
• Can I use any foreground element in the shot without detracting from the subject?
• Is the background cluttered and distracting?
• Will I change this to B&W, Sepia or something else in PP? 
• Do I have a Focal Point? 
• Is my subject Moving or Stationary? 
• For Moving Subjects, do I want to Pan the shot, Blur the background or Blur the subject? 
• For a portrait, is the focus primarily on the eyes? Is the background blurred out?
• Is there a Pattern I can pick up on? 
• How’s the lighting? Are the Shadows harsh or weak? Do I want to emphasize them?  okie dokie... this is a dodgy one! perhaps play around with light back-lighting, side-lighting or front-lighting ;)
• Should I deliberately boost or ramp down the EV?
• Is the light too strong? Will it wash out detail? 
• Is my horizon straight? Is it cutting across 'dead-centre' in the frame? 
• Can I get this at a better angle?  its all about perspectives mate..
• Should I wait for better lighting?   this is another dicey one!
• What does the light meter read?  dont't let the light meter get the better of you mate!!
• Should I increase shutter speed or open up the aperture? 
• Is it in focus?  ..duh!!
• Did I just miss a great shot?  gee mate..!!

With all these questions, it’s a wonder that I still haven't lost my sanity, or the enamour for photography and the the willingness to learn it. Life was so much simpler when all I did was point and shoot! Certainly less stressful!!  :-D :-)