One of the best pieces of advice I was given when I started photography was from an experienced photographer who said to shoot the first shot immediately when you see an opportunity. Don’t think about the camera settings or the viewing angles, but get the first shot as soon as possible.

He was a landscape photographer, like I am now and I completely agree with his advice. It’s amazing how quickly the perfect light can change in seconds when the clouds move over the landscape – if you take too long to setup you’ll have lost the shot.

So take the first shot as soon as possible when you see the opportunity. This will at least get you a shot in the bag. Then you can start thinking how you could improve the photograph. What settings could you use in your camera to give you the depth of field your require. Can you move around for a better vantage point or for a different perspective.

This is probably more obvious and like second nature for street, portrait and sports photographers as well as photo journalists. However, I think it is as good advice for landscape photographers.