[Nicole]

For me, the answer to questions 1-4 is:
Sometimes.

I try to use the rule of thirds most of the time. Because it's something I only really read about a few months ago, it isn't second nature yet, but it feels like it's getting there. So sometimes I do have to think: "Would this shot be better if I moved x over to the left more?" So that means that sometimes, it just happens as well.

I also do purposely break the rule of thirds if I've composed a shot, had a look at it and decide that the subject needs to be more prominent.

It really seems to depend on the subject matter how well it works, but I do find that I prefer the shots that tend to follow the rule a bit more.