Not all of us were born to be photographers, but armed with the right knowledge, we can all take better photos. The pearl of knowledge I'd like to share with you in this article is simple: Before you press the shutter release on a photo, take a moment to ask yourself a few basic questions about the photo and your setup. Believe it or not, this simple procedure will almost certainly cause an immediate and obvious improvement in your photos and save you time in processing.

Ready? Here's the list, including an explanation of the importance of each question.

1. What am I taking a photo of?
Whether you're shooting a landscape, portrait, wildlife or any other type of photo, it's important to realize what your subject is. What feature of the landscape grabs your attention? Do you want to photograph the bird or the bird and its surroundings? Which element of the flower do you want to be sure has perfect detail in the final photo? Don't shoot until you know what you're shooting.

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2. What message do I want to send?
The best photos are more than just pretty pictures. In order to have real impact, your photograph should tell a story or deliver a message. What do you want your viewers to “get” about the shot? Are you photographing the plight of the homeless? Do you want them to see the joy in the eyes of the mother gazing at her child? Is the power of the ocean what you're feeling when you look a the scene? Determine what you want to pass on to your viewers about the shot, rather than the shot itself.
3. Is the lighting balanced?
Look closely at everything in the frame. Is there enough detail in the shadows to show the texture? Is there enough detail showing in the highlight areas, or will they be blown out? Are the shadows hiding anything you want viewers to see? Check the lighting in the scene thoroughly and make exposure adjustments or add supplemental lighting before you shoot.




4. How's my Camera Angle?
Are you getting the best possible perspective in your shot? Would your photo be improved if your camera was higher or lower? Would the scene look better a few steps to the left or right? Remember, a slight change in point of view can transform a tourist shot into a work of art.
5. Is the timing right?
Timing is, of course, critical when you're shooting moving subjects. It can also be a factor in the quality of the light in a scene, as well as the scene itself. Tourists come and go. Clouds move. Wildlife moves. The tide rises and falls. Waves break. There are countless things that may happen within any given scene from one moment to the next. Be sure you're capturing the right moment.
6. How is my framing?
You've taken the time to compose your photo beautifully. Don't forget that the edges of the frame are part of the composition. Make sure you've included everything you want your viewers to see in the frame. Don't chop off hands or heads. Don't break lines in the wrong places. Eliminate unnecessary distractions.
7. Do I need to adjust the alignment?
If there's a horizon in your shot, make sure it's level. Check your verticals – building edges, trees, bridge trestles, etc. Line things up as well as possible before taking the shot. Not every alignment problem can be corrected in post-processing without ruining your composition.



8. How can I highlight the subject?
Think about ways to emphasize the main subject of your photo. Can you use a reflector to add a little bit of light to it? Will shallower depth of field help it stand out? Are there any elements in the frame that can be used to create leading lines? Look for ways to make your subject stand out.
9. Should I bracket the exposure?
If there's a good deal of tonal difference in a scene, or an uneven balance of light and dark tones, you may want to set your camera to bracket exposures. Taking 3 or more bracketed exposures may provide post-processing options that will save an otherwise unsatisfactory image.

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10. Is my setup stable enough?
This is especially important if you answered yes to question number 9. If there's any danger of ruining your photos with a little bit of camera shake, deal with it before you shoot. Use a solid stance, as well as a tripod or monopod. If you're bracketing or using a telephoto lens, use a tripod. Remember to use your remote release or self-timer.
11. How will this image be used?
The purpose of an image can make a difference in the way it should be framed and photographed. If you're shooting a magazine cover, for instance, you'll need to consider the margins needed for the header and feature titles. A photo for a greeting card might be better framed in portrait mode than landscape mode. If you want to use the photo in several ways, you might want to add a little bit of extra cropping room.

There you have it! There are certainly more questions you could consider and you will, no doubt, find some of your own. The real importance lies in the questions, more than the answers. By asking them, you'll teach yourself to focus on the fine points that can make or break an image.

Not every situation will allow you ample time to consider each of these points, so practice them until they become second nature. Your photos will be all the better for your effort.