With so many rules binding us, more rules to photography, specifically about composition seems to be an unwelcome guest.

Truth is, calling them rules is a misnomer. They are actually guides.
To give an example, Symmetry is opposite the Rule of Thirds. If they are both rules, one of them will be wrong.
These rules come about from studies & observation of what creates a desired effect and why they do.
I for example has my own rules -The Rule of Shadows, Make a Hero & Shoot to Purpose. This came from my experience in animation, graphic design & advertising.

Why have rules? They are invaluable tools in understanding and therefore repeating or aiming for a specific outcome. They are also good for sharing the "technique" so others understand and can repeat a desired effect.

It is true that just relying on one's own "eye" can create a good image. But knowing the rules allows one to be more consistent. It also allows for planning ahead and shooting for a purpose, not just for aesthetics and relying on luck.

Repetitive use makes it second nature will not not slow down action nor the creativity. They can be a fallback when given a challenging circumstance and finally a person's style of photography.

Again they are guides. If someone sticks to them by the letter, the photo can become too repetitive, mechanical & rigid. Probably here is where the tenet, "breaking the rules came into being", misunderstanding that they were not rules at all.

Below is a visual example of how rules guides get created and how they work or how they are applied.

1. On the first row we can see the same image repeated.
2. On the second row, we add lips and a bow that is slightly changing in shape & distance from the initial graphic.
Here we can see that the simple adjustment changes the age of the face.

3. Using a guideline for comparison, the changes are more visible.
4. We now finish with some details to support our intent to show age.
-3a mouth is adjusted. Made a little bit smaller in 4A.
-4c & 4d actually have the exact same hair but they still look a different age.

From this sample we can invent some rules for ourselves, should we want to draw the same person in different ages. We can do that by understanding what changes. Like the proportion of the face changes with age. We can say the rule of age is that the face becomes longer and more oval with time . Also in observing that a rounder face looks younger, we can use that as (one of the) creative technique if we are designing a character, thereby using the rule as guide to plan ahead a composition.

Simply put, composition in photography, is the relationship, appearance and the unifying effect of all the elements in a photo.

And the rules of composition are just guides for arranging the elements to fit a predetermined output. One must not strive to know the rules but rather to understand it. Why such arrangement works and hence know by heart what it does, thus becoming creative to how far one can play with or break it.

With so many rules binding us, more rules to photography, specifically about composition seems to be an unwelcome guest.

Truth is, calling them rules is a misnomer. They are actually guides.
To give an example, Symmetry is opposite the Rule of Thirds. If they are both rules, one of them will be wrong.
These rules come about from studies & observation of what creates a desired effect and why they do.
I for example has my own rules -The Rule of Shadows, Make a Hero & Shoot to Purpose. This came from my experience in animation, graphic design & advertising.

Why have rules? They are invaluable tools in understanding and therefore repeating or aiming for a specific outcome. They are also good for sharing the "technique" so others understand and can repeat a desired effect.

It is true that just relying on one's own "eye" can create a good image. But knowing the rules allows one to be more consistent. It also allows for planning ahead and shooting for a purpose, not just for aesthetics and relying on luck.

Repetitive use makes it second nature will not not slow down action nor the creativity. They can be a fallback when given a challenging circumstance and finally a person's style of photography.

Again they are guides. If someone sticks to them by the letter, the photo can become too repetitive, mechanical & rigid. Probably here is where the tenet, "breaking the rules came into being", misunderstanding that they were not rules at all.

Below is a visual example of how rules guides get created and how they work or how they are applied.

1. On the first row we can see the same image repeated.
2. On the second row, we add lips and a bow that is slightly changing in shape & distance from the initial graphic.
Here we can see that the simple adjustment changes the age of the face.

3. Using a guideline for comparison, the changes are more visible.
4. We now finish with some details to support our intent to show age.
-3a mouth is adjusted. Made a little bit smaller in 4A.
-4c & 4d actually have the exact same hair but they still look a different age.

From this sample we can invent some rules for ourselves, should we want to draw the same person in different ages. We can do that by understanding what changes. Like the proportion of the face changes with age. We can say the rule of age is that the face becomes longer and more oval with time . Also in observing that a rounder face looks younger, we can use that as (one of the) creative technique if we are designing a character, thereby using the rule as guide to plan ahead a composition.

Simply put, composition in photography, is the relationship, appearance and the unifying effect of all the elements in a photo.

And the rules of composition are just guides for arranging the elements to fit a predetermined output. One must not strive to know the rules but rather to understand it. Why such arrangement works and hence know by heart what it does, thus becoming creative to how far one can play with or break it.