1. A method for determining an operating parameter for an imaging system, the method comprising the steps of: obtaining a sequence of evaluation images during composition of an image; storing the evaluation images; comparing the evaluation images to determine common image elements by comparing the most recently obtained evaluation image to other evaluation images in the sequence of evaluation images beginning with the evaluation image obtained immediately prior to the most recently obtained evaluation image and continuing with additional prior obtained evaluation images until the identified common image elements define a predetermined minimum of vertical image elements of an archival image; determining an area of importance based at least in part upon some of the common image elements; and determining an operating parameter based upon analysis of the area of importance.