Don't Forget To Check Your WHIMS

While reading Scott Kelby's book "Digital Photography Book vol 2" he mentions a tip I wished I had known about earlier:- remember to check your WHIMS, when starting a new photographic shoot or when the photographic situation changes.

There has been many situations while taking some important photographs when I've had my camera set up for taking pictures outdoors but have now moved indoors and forgot to change the settings accordingly. This did happen to me while photographing a wedding for a friend. I suppose it is lack of experience, or it could always happen to the best. Remembering the following acronym and using it to check your main camera settings will help alleviate this annoying/embarrassing mistake:

W (White balance) - Check to ensure the white balance setting is appropriate for the lighting

H (Highlight warnings) - Turn this feature on to ensure you are not ckipping off any important detail

I (ISO) - Use the correct ISO for your surroundings

M (Mode) - Are you using the correct camera mode for the picture

S (Size) - Ensure the image size is appropriate for the type of picture you are taking

It is very easy to be over exited and eager to take the pictures that you forget to check your camera, but, slow yourself down a little and ensure you use the above advice and avoid making this same mistake that I have done more frequently than I would like to admit.