1. A computer-readable storage medium encoded with computer-executable instructions which, when executed by a processor, perform a method comprising: identifying a first image of a computer-readable symbol obtained by an image capture device, the computer-readable symbol representing information encoded using a visual symbology arranged on a surface, the visual symbology comprising a plurality of modules of predetermined sizes, each module having a binary reflectance value; based on either the blurriness of the first image or the tilt of the image capture device relative to the surface or both, calculating a success metric associated with the first image; based on the success metric, prior to attempting to decode the visual symbology within the first image, determining a likelihood of successfully decoding the visual symbology within the first image; when there is determined to be a likelihood of successfully decoding the visual symbology within the first image, arranging for decoding the visual symbology within the first image; and when there is determined not to be a likelihood of successfully decoding the visual symbology within the first image, not arranging for decoding the visual symbology within the first image, identifying a second image of the computer-readable symbol obtained by the image capture device, based on either the blurriness of the second image or the tilt of the image capture device relative to the surface or both, calculating a success metric associated with the second image, and based on the success metric associated with the second image, determining a likelihood of successfully decoding the visual symbology within the second image.