1. The Crop: Think how you would like the photo to look, frame it in the viewfinder, then step back/zoom out and allow a little bit more, you can always crop it back in post. Also be aware of what isn't in the photo, cropped feet and heads can be very distracting.
2. Light/Shadow: Look at how the light falls on the subject and check for unflattering or odd shadows or highlights. For general portrait work a light at 45° from the subject gives the best mix of shadow and light.
3. The Pose: A staged stiff pose can make the difference between a good photo and a cheesy one. Try to keep things as relaxed as possible and don't make your model hold the same pose for too long without taking a break.
4. Background: Unless you are setting a scene, plain backgrounds tend to work best and don't distract from the main subject of the photo. A lamp stand out of the head does not look flattering!
5. Angle: The angle you take a shot can make a big difference in perceived proportions. Taking from below can make the subject appear taller but could also give them disproportionate feet! Try to aim at the middle of the body when taking a full standing shot; also don't be afraid to rotate your camera.
6. Focus: What is and isn't in focus is very much dependant on the field of view, be aware of what is and isn't focussed especially if you have an area of the shot that you want to draw attention too, this should be your main focus. Most auto-focus systems will focus on the centre of your shot by default, adjust if necessary.
7. TMSF: Take many, show few. One of the biggest mistakes with photography is to show people everything you have taken. Take as many shots as possible but select only a few of the best shots to make public. 2 perfect shots out of 50 taken would be considered a good session.

Today is Yule and it very nearly ended up in the burns unit of the local hospital after I managed to knock a Pyrex dish of boiling oil off the kitchen counter missing my privates by about 2cm. In fact the only bit of oil that managed to hit me landed on my left foot which was well insulated by 2 pairs of socks :D
Yay, no molten penis for me this year! I did get the following 7 things though.

1. Nikon D80 Camera + Sigma 18-50mm Lens
2. Eco Kettle
3. Red Duvet Set
4. Silk Boxer Shorts
5. Cheeseboard with Mouse Cheese Wire
6. Black Trousers
7. Rose Red DVD

Today's list comes once again from Jules, cheers again :)

1. Your pizza can arrive faster than an ambulance
2. We leave our expensive cars on the driveway and lockup junk in the garage
3. 'Public' schools are only open to those that can pay
4. We order a double quaterpounder with cheese, fries and a doughnut and then order a 'diet' coke to go with it
5. We can have sex at 16, but not watch it until 18
6. Banks leave their doors open, but chain pens to the desks
7. Croutons come in air tight bags when they are just stale bread

Another submission list today, I could get used to this. Today's list comes from Bekie :)

1. Spreads small pieces of his cat litter around the flat
2. Talks almost incessantly
3. Dawdles along in front of you when you are trying to get somewhere in a hurry and performs blocking manoeuvres especially when you are carrying something heavy
4. Wakes you up by scraping his claw across your nose
5. Rustles any and all plastic bags and plastic wrapping material
6. Slides his foot under yours as you walk and then whinges at you as if it was your fault
7. Quality controls certain tasks we do; e.g. rolling cigarettes, changing the bed clothes, clearing out his litter tray

1. Philatelist
2. Angina
3. Clematis
4. Flocculation
5. Puckfist
6. Butress
7. Futtock

At this rate I'm never going to need to think of another 7 list again, not that I'm complaining :)
Today's list comes courtesy of Jay... take it away Jay.

1. Asiago - Italy
2. Serra da Estrela - Portugal
3. Ubriaco - Italy
4. Pepato - Italy (Drunken)
5. Bresse Bleu - France
6. Cabra al Vino - Spain (Drunken Goats Cheese)
7. Appenzeller - Switzerland

Today's list comes courtesy of Elephino as number 1 in the monthly 'celebrity' 7 things lists.
Take it away Elephino!

1. 7 Favourite Authors - I got to 5 authors and had writers block
2. 7 Cars I want to own - This had the problem of bringing the list down to 7
3. 7 things to do when sick - After sleep and groan, I ran out of ideas
4. 7 places I want to visit - Way, way, way more than 7 places that I want to visit and couldn't get anywhere near only 7 top destinations
5. 7 websites I can't live without - the idea is from this site but I couldn't make 7. I can live without most sites
6. 7 problems of car ownership - Seemed a bit silly when the first on the list was to be birds and trees as a bird crapped on my car and some trees left sap the same day that it had been washed
7. 7 reject list of 7 things - After being unable to come up with a useful list of 7 things, I thought of a reject list. But I only had 6 lists rejected, so the 7 rejects idea was rejected, bringing the reject list to 7. There world may implode if someone works out whether this makes sense or not...or they may just faint