There are some abilities that should just be second nature to photographers. Here are 17 such things to make you have down pat to keep you prepared to shoot and looking like the pro that you are.

Among these great tips from Ed Gregory from Photos in Color is one I especially endorse (no. 14): always be ready to shoot. Personally, I always leave my 24-70mm on my 5D Mark IV at f/2.8, 1/1,000 s, auto ISO, and -2/3 EV with continuous AF tracking and high speed mode active. This accomplishes two things: first, it ensures that I’m prepared to shoot any action that I might spontaneously come across. If I come across a static subject, I can always take my time to adjust to that. Second, because I always return the camera to the same settings, I can pull it out and make any adjustments I need instantaneously without checking what I left it on. Of course, depending on what you shoot, your default settings may be different, but the point is to keep your camera ready to go at all times. Do you have any skills you think a photographer should always have at the ready? Share them in the comments!