Hi @jamesstaddon!
Thanks for providing us your approach on editing pictures. I created a checklist of some composition aspects we as photographers should be addressing based on your response.
1. Lines
2. Symmetry
3. Removing distracting elements
4. Adjusting contrast
5. Sharpening
6. Adjusting colours (i.e. saturation)
when I’m editing a photo I’m always asking myself, “what’s wrong with this photo?”
In my opinion, this approach limits editing options and fosters efficiency particularly when there are many pictures to be processed.