Rarely do things turn out perfectly after the first try. Conditions change constantly, especially when it comes to getting a photo you have in mind. City scapes rarely stay the same as the evening buzz picks up.
The very same street corner can look totally different, even after a few moments and taking a few shots spanning just a short time, can produce completely different images. The photos below were taken on the exact street corner, facing the same direction, not even two minutes apart.
The first photo is nothing spectacular; just a woman crossing the street carrying her yoga mat. I took the photo on a whim, because I liked how the shadows seemed to cling to one side of the people crossing the street. I was satisfied with the photo but rather than leave and head to another location, I chose to stay and wait. Those extra few moments, paid off.
The sun had fully come from behind a building, shining more light and adding more contrast between the street and the shadows. Additionally, I spotted a better character for my photo and everything tied together very satisfyingly to my eye.
The same corner, slightly different moment in time, completely different outcomes. I could have headed somewhere else after the first shot, but I stayed put and it worked out in this case. It’s never promised that you’ll capture a photo you like in the first shot. Take one, then take second; if in the end you’re still not fully satisfied, wait just a moment and take a second, second. (It’ll be worth it.)