>>3157386>but moving around slightly different angles and trying different exposures to see how it can turn outDepending how long you have been shooting, this could be acceptable or unacceptable and simply a crutch. Trying different angles is okay, but you don't have to take a picture of each iteration. I try different angles, but won't snap a picture 90% of the time.
In terms of trying different exposures, unless you are pretty new you should know what exposure (or two) works best. If you aren't new, you're simply chimping which is counterproductive to getting better and simply a bad habit. If you aren't new, spending more time looking at your camera and less time looking at the scene, possible compositions, and quality of light isn't a good thing.
>I have a "vague" idea of what I want it to look like, but not good enough to be like those people who can instantly visualize the final product and manage to line things up on the first shotThat's all good. Like I mentioned, trying different angles is fine. Taking a photo of each version isn't. Being able to tell in-camera if a composition works is a good skill to develop. I'm not saying you shouldn't have multiple versions on your card by the time you get home...having a few is okay. Having 10 isn't. Whatever iterations you do have, review them and decide why some work and why some don't. By doing this and being critical of your work, you should eventually decrease the amount of actual shutter presses you make in an outing. Again, this all depends how new you are. The newer you are, the more acceptable shooting numerous iterations is. Just make sure you're reviewing all the photos afterwards and making judgments as to why some work better than others.
>So do you only take 1 or 2 pictures for each composition?Yeah, but it took me quite awhile to get comfortable doing that. A multi-day hike usually results in <50 photos taken. I'm a filmfag though, so there are reasons for being this frugal.
