Sometimes you don't have time to take in a scene thoroughly.  This is especially true if your subject is capable of moving and thus changing the composition.  People, birds, animals and insects generally (but not always) fall into this category.
 

However, if I have time to immerse myself in a subject and think about the best ways to capture what is in front of me, I find it helpful to think in terms of threes - find at least three different ways of looking at the subject or changing the perspective (ie. not just altering the shutter speed or aperature, although changing those can be worth playing with as well).

Here's my general approach.  I'm using some images from Sayulita, Mexico as my examples:

My first inclination is to take an establishing shot, one that shows the entirety of the subject and all the possibilities therein.  Note:  In this case, this was the last shot I took because I kept trying to get as close as possible without disturbing the birds.  This photo was taken with a 20mm wide-angle lens and feet virtually in the water.  When I tried to take a step closer still, the splashing of my foot coming up scared the birds away.

The next step is to try and find interesting compositions or subjects in the scene.  In this case, I found the pair of pelicans towards the center of the scene appealing.  I liked the contrast of the one basking and the other not, the one with the more yellow in the head while the other more white.

Almost always, my final step is finding individual details that I find striking.  In this case it is obviously the individual birds and trying to create portraits of them.

I have lots of examles of these kinds of triples that I'll post in the coming week(s).  Or, see if you can find them yourselves :)

Here's the longish setup: 

I was driving home today from Uncle Hugo's bookstore (www.unclehugo.com) having just gotten a freshly signed copy of "Captain Vorpatril's Alliance" by Lois McMaster Bujold (which I have been looking forward to for quite a while now).  On the radio was The Splendid Table.  At one point the question was asked "Why do people so enjoy watching people cook?"  I think the answer that was given had to do with how universal food is and therefore people can relate to what they are seeing, and imagining how the result will taste.

My answer is different.  I think it is because creation is at the heart of cooking (and so many other things) and at its essence, creation is still magic which can leave people in awe.

I think it's part of the reason why movies like "Amadeus" are so powerful.  It is not just a film about a successful, creative person who is confronted with someone better.  It is the awe that Mozart generates in the scene where he is first introduced to the Emperor and improvises on the piano, or when Salieri is looking at the manuscript and "it was like he was taking dictation".

It is why "Making Of" documentaries and commentaries are included on most DVDs.  People want to see and, if possible, understand how something they appreciate was created.

It is probably why "My Name is Asher Lev" (by Chaim Potok) is my favorite book.

And, utlimately, I think creation (or, if you prefer, creativity) is why I love photography.  I've never been able to draw well or feel comfortable playing music, but I can certainly make (what I feel are) good photos.  When shooting is at its best, I can look at the world and feel inspired by all the different objects and scenes around me.  I can visualize and image and create a photo that reflects this vision.

And that is a GREAT feeling!

This image was taken in Cesky Krumlov in the Czech Republic just before dawn.  The photographer contemplates the castle in front of him and ponders the best way to capture the scene. 

I was just watching the telethon for Hurricane Sandy relief on NBC and wishing there was something I could do to help out.  One of the problems with being unemployed is the inability to afford doing things that you would like to do because there is no budget.

According to their website (www.ryebrook.org), my home town is still 79% without power, which is hard to comprehend and obviously unprecidented.  I guess the good news is that everyone I've talked to or inquired about is fine.  The bad news is that some lack of power makes it hard for people to stay at home.

So, if anyone who might be reading this can do something to help out, please do.  I wish I could as well.