Point well taken - maybe "rule" is too harsh a term (after all, what is a rule if not something to be broken in search of abetter way?). Let's rephrase the question: what is your primary thought process when you compose/shoot an image? I do have difficulty, though, taking credit for "happy accidents" - in other words, shooting something and waiting to see the final results to decide "I really like this image" - even if it requires additional cropping. (I hope I'm not offending you - if this is at all what you were referring to). I have taken several photos and looked at the final result in print - and made improvements with cropping - and get entirely ticked at myself for not seeing the image when I was there...wasted resolution, you know? (As a side note - I am my own worst critic - I have NEVER taken "The Perfect Shot" - there's always some post-shoot "improvements" I always come up with....and I honestly believe that any photographer worth his salt would say the same. The kick is to recognize the flaws and avoid them the next time!)