Shoot it right the first time

   Some years ago, a seasoned photographer who for many years had worked with National Geographic,  set a monumental goal.  One shot per day, no more, no less.... but it had to be the perfect shot and he would wander his environs until he knew he had it. Then he would click the shutter and be done.   Of course he was on his own time, so unlike the rest of us who deal with interruptions and delays and other demands that come with living an ordinary life, could never have the time to do anything similar.  However his project was a great example to work toward. Too often with digital, there is the temptation to simply shoot till the right image just magically appears, without being discriminating or taking the time to study the technical requirements of lighting and focus and exposure and composition and on and on..... 
   A few years ago I was walking out of a photography class and happened to have a short conversation with the instructor.  It was a University level class, and only the second day that assignments had been due, however the instructor expressed his frustration at the number of emails that he had already received from students, ranting about how poorly they had been treated in the grades he was giving out.  "They expect perfection by the second week of class". 
    As with any skill, there is no substitute for study and practice.  Practice getting to know your camera and the manual settings, get a tripod, use it....   To "Shoot it right the first time" will take most of us many years...I'm still learning, and still working.  Mistakes can't always be fixed with photo-shop, and a lot images would not be worth the work and time it takes to fix them... Recognize it, learn from it, delete them and get over it.