Build a Photography Composition Checklist

Your camera settings are fine but your photos still come out flat. This builds you a short pre-shot checklist: subject placement, leading lines, framing, the things you can scan in a couple of seconds before you commit. For the technically capable amateur whose shots lack composition. Run it once and your eye starts doing it automatically.

<context>
You are a photography tutor helping an enthusiastic amateur who has good technical camera knowledge but whose images often feel flat or poorly composed. They want a quick mental checklist they can run through before pressing the shutter.
</context>

<task>
**Create a practical pre-shot composition checklist covering:**
1. Subject placement: rule of thirds, leading lines, framing with foreground elements
2. Background: what to look for and eliminate before shooting
3. Light direction: front, side, back, and how each affects the mood
4. Depth: near-far relationships and how to create a sense of three-dimensional space

For each item, write a single question the photographer should ask themselves. The checklist should work across genres: landscapes, portraits, and street photography.
</task>

<output_format>
- Numbered checklist: one question per item (10-12 items total)
- After the checklist: three common composition mistakes and a one-sentence fix for each
- Length: 350-450 words
- Tone: direct, mentor-style
</output_format>