pose or not to

To pose, to compose- get it together!

Brought to you with love and addicttion by Wick Beavers Photographer.

Too many -aspiring and otherwise- photographers never consider camera position, much less perspective, depth of field (of focus), focal plane, shutter speed- to drag or not- or even the most important of the non-subject aspects of a good photo, the composition, the background behind and around the subject.
I am a firm believer in cropping to find a just right aspect ratio and/or balance to the final image (sorry eliot erwit and henri cartier bresson but I think ansel would be using digital backs and photoshop and you guys would be cropping to make better your great photos), and really love the high rez digital backs for giving me more than enough room to make good crops, but you gotta get close as possible so if you do need to make large high rez prints some day, you'll be able.
You gotta ponder this hard cuz it makes or breaks a snap shot into or out of being a "nice photo".
Look at your subject carefully, but absolutely see their surroundings. Some people claim to see better two eyes open, I prefer one, but it's your choice, as long as you see the subject in a strong composition.
Remember thirds until it's instinctive, ponder diagonals and contrast/light. Think about motion and how the flow of looking at your composition will work to draw the viewer in towards your subject or focal point. OR Not!
Go with and go against, but make your choices and fire, don't leave these issues up to luck or native instinct until you do the above without forcing/thinking. You'll be amazed- rather than the 1 good shot every 50, you'll be upping the ante to a much higher level, when you really get this dialed in, the editorial part of making good photos will take a lot more time- you'll be pressed to pick the best from a slew of really good images!