Merging Images - Part 3: From Pre to Post Visualization

Let us not be afraid to allow for post-visualization. By post-visualization I refer to the willingness
on the part of the photographer to revisualize the final image
at any point in the entire photographic process.
Jerry Uelsmann
1 - Introduction
I decided to write an essay about the changes that my workflow went through over the years as a follow up to my two previous essays which were descriptions of my current workflow. The goal of this third essay is to clarify things about my approach to photography by providing background information which I hope you will find useful and enlightening.
While my previous essays were about how I do what I do, the essay you are reading now is about why I do what I do.  It is about the reasons behind my approach to processing rather than about the steps I follow when I process my images.
Superstitions Sunset
2 - Pre-visualization, really?
I always had an uneasy feeling when someone mentions pre-visualization.   Pre means before, so pre visualization ...