40 Questions I ask Myself before Hitting the Shutter Release

Image by Darwin Bell

The following was submitted by one of our readers – Jan Neault Phillips. It’s a little tongue in cheek (40 questions before every photo might be a little difficult, particularly if you’re photographing my kids who move at the speed of light) but also contains some good information on the type of things a photographer should be thinking about as they prepare for a shot (or perhaps for a ‘shoot’).

So I’m walking along with my camera and I see a wonderful scene that would make a great photo…

Before I Hit the Shutter I Ask Myself:

1. What mode do I want to shoot in? Manual, AP, SP, Auto or a pre-programed mode?
2. If I’m using a pre-set, what F-Stop or Shutter Speed am I going to use?
3. What format do I want to shoot in RAW or jpeg?
4. What’s my ISO? Is it fast/slow enough?
5. Too grainy for the shot?
6. What White Balance am I set on?
7. Do I need to set custom White Balance?
8. Did I bring my 18% Grey Card?
9. What Metering Mode should I be on?
10. What Colour setting do I need?
11. Am I going to use Manual or Auto Focus?
12. Do I want to Bracket the shot?
13. Am I going to use a Flash?
14. And how am I going to use it?
15. What story am I trying to tell?
16. Do I need to change lenses?
17. If so, which one?
18. Am I shooting in Landscape or Portrait perspective, or even a jaunty angle?
19. Do I need to use a Tripod?
20. Will I use the Rule of Thirds or break it?
21. What other rules should I be following?
22. Are there Leading Lines I can use in the shot?
23. What about finding an S-curve for the leading line?
24. Is there any thing I can use to Frame my picture? e.g. Tree branches.
25. Will I change this to B&W, Sepia or something else post production?
26. Do I have a Focal Point?
27. Is my subject Moving or Stationary?
28. For Moving Subjects, do I want to Pan the shot, Blur the background or Blur the subject?
29. Is there a Pattern I can pick up on?
30. How’s the lighting?  Are the shadows strong or weak?
31. Do I want to emphasize them?
32. Is the light too strong?
33. Will it wash out detail?
34. Is my horizon straight?
35. Can I get this at a better angle?
36. Should I wait for better lighting?
37. What does the light meter read?
38. Should I increase shutter speed or open up the aperture?
39. Is it in focus?
40. Did I just miss a great shot?

With all the questions I’ve learned to ask myself over the last year, it’s a wonder that I still have my sanity, my passion 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.

But, I look at the results of recent photos I’ve taken, practice every day and soak up as much info as I can from every photographer and photo site I come across. And you know what? It’s all worth it  in the end. I’ve decided that photography isn’t just a passionate hobby, but a journey I’m willingly taking.