Breaking the Rules
Jun 9, 2021 10:33:24 #
Charlie157
Loc: San Diego, CA
I agree with Wallen. A lot of these rules came from people studying the works of master painters. If you look at the various classes art by offered by colleges you will find a class called two dimension composition. The class will teach you the elements to help create the image you are looking for. As an example certain diagonal lines will give a sense of movement to your overall image. Books are written about this so one doesn't have to rediscover the rules, regardless of the medium the use.
Jun 9, 2021 10:50:42 #
Jun 9, 2021 10:52:28 #
tdozier3 wrote:
You mean there are rules in photography ? 
(No, just guidelines.......
)Jun 9, 2021 11:17:13 #
[quote=billnikon]My most important one rule of photography is "Paint with light".
Wonderful image. I do note, however, that you have not broken all the "rules." Your main subject which I feel is the head and eye does not line up with the right vertical line of the "rule of thirds, but does get close to that line for the "Golden Ratio." The horizon line, to the extent that it may be seen, is below the center of the composition. You have also considered "space" and have allowed room in front of the bird to fly into. Most of the "rules" become instinctive to a photographer with a good eye for composition.
Wonderful image. I do note, however, that you have not broken all the "rules." Your main subject which I feel is the head and eye does not line up with the right vertical line of the "rule of thirds, but does get close to that line for the "Golden Ratio." The horizon line, to the extent that it may be seen, is below the center of the composition. You have also considered "space" and have allowed room in front of the bird to fly into. Most of the "rules" become instinctive to a photographer with a good eye for composition.
Jun 9, 2021 11:25:22 #
If you build a house without a solid foundation it is likely to collapse, or at least settle irregularly and doors and windows will go out of alignment and cracks will form in the walls. This will happen regardless of how pleasing the architect has designed the aesthetics, how pretty the colours of the paint are, and regardless of if the materials and tools are of the best quality.
Rules in photography are only the foundation and not always the law, however, some rules shod be followed. If you can't attain proper focus, exposure, camera steadiness, and master a basic set of technical skills, you won't get very far regarless of your level of creativity. You can mess with someof the technology and science, but not all of it.
Rules of composition are traditional basic teaching, learning and analysis points for discueesion. The real amount to differ strokes for different folks. Some people have an intrinsic sense of placement, aesthetics, and keen visual perception. Some folks are not as fortunately endowed. Others have someof these inborn talents but they need to be developed. So, the rule makers and teachers have interpreted many of these artistic or aesthetic principles in geometric and mathematical forms. There is a diagram that illustrates symmetry and asymmetry, sho geometric figures that are pleasing to the eye, create base and balance, can't graceful lines, use of space, etc. There are mathematical divisions of a frame, aspect ratios, its show strong areas that will attract the viewer's eye, etc.
A visually talented individual sitting in a classroom, reading a book, watch a video tutorial about this stuff, is goona think YES, I kinda know this almost autonomically, but this is a good way to explain it. A person who is not particularly visually talented can possibly absorb the information, follow the "rules" and come up with some decent images.
"Breaking the rules" becomes a tired and hackneyed phrase. Some folks don't even know the rules so there is nothing to break and many don't care! Others may purposely alter, vary, bend, or ignore a rule or rules for deliberate and clever reasons- simply because it looks good, is visually effective, and expresses THEIR INTERPRETATION of the subject- not somebody else's!
In traditional photographic portraiture, sculpting the subject's face with lighting, posing and camera positions is a rather complex art and tell can not be learned by diagrams. The roundness or length of the face is only one of many more factors to consider. The basic rules are to preclude distortion of the facial features of body types and to come up with a true likeness. In professional portraiture, usually, clients prefer a flattering rendition and that too is an art and science in and of itself. Then, there are the different perceptions of what "beauty" is. When you photograph human beings for a living you soon find out about the psychological aspects of the art. Ani I shod tell you that if you are gonna do that you BETTER learn the rules and theories of lighting dynamics and be able to call upon them in your sleep!
Some folks are just too lazy to even consider the basics and simply do lousy work! They brag that they break the rules as an excuse.
Just about every art, craft, or creative endeavour has foundational rules. Music has endless rules, notations, theories, harmonies, mathematics, things like "ear training". There are hours of practice in what might be boring scales, etidudes, just to develop technique and muscle memory. Many of the best jazz and improvisational musicians have had strict classical training as a foundation.
I suppose one can not be a litterly author, a creative writer or a journalist if they can't spell and utilize basic grammar. Even if you want to write avant-garde literature or poetry you got to know the alphabet! As my 5th- grade teacher used to say "Don't write naughty words on the wall if you can't spell"!
Rules in photography are only the foundation and not always the law, however, some rules shod be followed. If you can't attain proper focus, exposure, camera steadiness, and master a basic set of technical skills, you won't get very far regarless of your level of creativity. You can mess with someof the technology and science, but not all of it.
Rules of composition are traditional basic teaching, learning and analysis points for discueesion. The real amount to differ strokes for different folks. Some people have an intrinsic sense of placement, aesthetics, and keen visual perception. Some folks are not as fortunately endowed. Others have someof these inborn talents but they need to be developed. So, the rule makers and teachers have interpreted many of these artistic or aesthetic principles in geometric and mathematical forms. There is a diagram that illustrates symmetry and asymmetry, sho geometric figures that are pleasing to the eye, create base and balance, can't graceful lines, use of space, etc. There are mathematical divisions of a frame, aspect ratios, its show strong areas that will attract the viewer's eye, etc.
A visually talented individual sitting in a classroom, reading a book, watch a video tutorial about this stuff, is goona think YES, I kinda know this almost autonomically, but this is a good way to explain it. A person who is not particularly visually talented can possibly absorb the information, follow the "rules" and come up with some decent images.
"Breaking the rules" becomes a tired and hackneyed phrase. Some folks don't even know the rules so there is nothing to break and many don't care! Others may purposely alter, vary, bend, or ignore a rule or rules for deliberate and clever reasons- simply because it looks good, is visually effective, and expresses THEIR INTERPRETATION of the subject- not somebody else's!
In traditional photographic portraiture, sculpting the subject's face with lighting, posing and camera positions is a rather complex art and tell can not be learned by diagrams. The roundness or length of the face is only one of many more factors to consider. The basic rules are to preclude distortion of the facial features of body types and to come up with a true likeness. In professional portraiture, usually, clients prefer a flattering rendition and that too is an art and science in and of itself. Then, there are the different perceptions of what "beauty" is. When you photograph human beings for a living you soon find out about the psychological aspects of the art. Ani I shod tell you that if you are gonna do that you BETTER learn the rules and theories of lighting dynamics and be able to call upon them in your sleep!
Some folks are just too lazy to even consider the basics and simply do lousy work! They brag that they break the rules as an excuse.
Just about every art, craft, or creative endeavour has foundational rules. Music has endless rules, notations, theories, harmonies, mathematics, things like "ear training". There are hours of practice in what might be boring scales, etidudes, just to develop technique and muscle memory. Many of the best jazz and improvisational musicians have had strict classical training as a foundation.
I suppose one can not be a litterly author, a creative writer or a journalist if they can't spell and utilize basic grammar. Even if you want to write avant-garde literature or poetry you got to know the alphabet! As my 5th- grade teacher used to say "Don't write naughty words on the wall if you can't spell"!
Jun 9, 2021 12:30:37 #
Jun 9, 2021 12:51:41 #
Jun 9, 2021 12:57:00 #
Remaking the rules has let to progress many times throughout the eons. Breaking the rules is one thing, being stupid is quite another. I HO
WJH
WJH
Jun 9, 2021 13:42:38 #
CHG_CANON wrote:
If you think you're good enough to break the rules, you're probably not.
👍🤣✔
Jun 9, 2021 13:45:47 #
M1911
Loc: DFW Metromess
Edward Weston once said, "Consulting the rules of composition before making a photograph is like consulting the laws of gravitation before going for a walk." He went on to say the rules are applied after the fact.
Jun 9, 2021 14:03:33 #
Just take the darn photo!
If the picture satisfies the artist (photographer) then his/her objective is met. If critics don't like it or criticise it for not meeting "rules" or "guidelines", so be it. They don't have to buy the picture, look at it, or stress over it.
If we are talking about photographing for an assigned project or to enter the photo in a contest with stipulated rules; thats a different story. But a photographer who shoots for her/his own pleasure is free to do whatever. Just like a chef is free to alter a recipe, or a musician is free to compose, etc.
Just sayin'.
If the picture satisfies the artist (photographer) then his/her objective is met. If critics don't like it or criticise it for not meeting "rules" or "guidelines", so be it. They don't have to buy the picture, look at it, or stress over it.
If we are talking about photographing for an assigned project or to enter the photo in a contest with stipulated rules; thats a different story. But a photographer who shoots for her/his own pleasure is free to do whatever. Just like a chef is free to alter a recipe, or a musician is free to compose, etc.
Just sayin'.
Jun 9, 2021 14:42:00 #
"If the picture satisfies the artist (photographer) then his/her objective is met. If critics don't like it or criticise it for not meeting "rules" or "guidelines", so be it. They don't have to buy the picture, look at it, or stress over it."
Well said and a perfect philosophy
Well said and a perfect philosophy
Jun 9, 2021 14:53:50 #
It a "catch 22" kinda thing.
If a photographer does work simply for their own satisfaction, has to satisfy no one else, does not seek further education, mentoring, instructions critique, does not want to need to improve, all of that is good so go home and forget about any kinda rules. That's OK- nothing wrong with that!
If, on the other hand, what if there are other parties to satisfy such as clients, or if someone is seeking out advice, critique, instructions or suggestions, HOW can the information be transmitted- in what language, what basis? So, reference is made to some principle, rule of thumb, scientific or artistically based concept, or some kind of guideline.
I would not say "you have broken a rule" but might mention that I would like to see more or less space around a subject, more detail somewhere, less distortion, better isolation of the main subject or those other possible comments. Most folks want definitive answers or more direct kinda problem solving so I might furnish a "RULE", a guideline or quote an actual physical optical, chemical, or mechanical "LAW" that they might is not aware of. I may suggest a routine standard procedure. I do not want to insult people's intelligence by assuming they will take my advice as some kinda edict or law and will never make their own variations, addition or negations as they see fit. Knowledge of basics, norms and principles are just more tools in the toolbox. Some folks won't be offended if I suggest they go out and buy an outrageously expensive lens but get all bent out of shape if I quite a "rule"! Some people are diametrically opposite, they get so bound up by endless technobabble and drill down so deeply into the technology that they have no more mental space for the fun and creativity of photography. The trick is to strike a balance!
If a photographer does work simply for their own satisfaction, has to satisfy no one else, does not seek further education, mentoring, instructions critique, does not want to need to improve, all of that is good so go home and forget about any kinda rules. That's OK- nothing wrong with that!
If, on the other hand, what if there are other parties to satisfy such as clients, or if someone is seeking out advice, critique, instructions or suggestions, HOW can the information be transmitted- in what language, what basis? So, reference is made to some principle, rule of thumb, scientific or artistically based concept, or some kind of guideline.
I would not say "you have broken a rule" but might mention that I would like to see more or less space around a subject, more detail somewhere, less distortion, better isolation of the main subject or those other possible comments. Most folks want definitive answers or more direct kinda problem solving so I might furnish a "RULE", a guideline or quote an actual physical optical, chemical, or mechanical "LAW" that they might is not aware of. I may suggest a routine standard procedure. I do not want to insult people's intelligence by assuming they will take my advice as some kinda edict or law and will never make their own variations, addition or negations as they see fit. Knowledge of basics, norms and principles are just more tools in the toolbox. Some folks won't be offended if I suggest they go out and buy an outrageously expensive lens but get all bent out of shape if I quite a "rule"! Some people are diametrically opposite, they get so bound up by endless technobabble and drill down so deeply into the technology that they have no more mental space for the fun and creativity of photography. The trick is to strike a balance!
Jun 9, 2021 15:53:05 #
E.L.. Shapiro wrote:
It a "catch 22" kinda thing. br br If ... (show quote)
Good points well stated, E.L! Some people carry this "anti-rule" sentiment way too far. I think it's mostly because they don't understand the role of "rules" in creative endeavors.
Jun 9, 2021 16:16:13 #
CliffMcKenzie wrote:
Everyone new to photography, starts with an embedded "rule" everything goes to the center of the of the image. This of course is not a "rule" but human nature. The rules of photography educate us to the possibilities; helps us see the same image differently from different angles and lights. As we progress, we see the exceptions to the rules and add them to our continuing education.
Although I like your “loosen up” feeling about rules and such, I really don’t like ANY acknowledgement of any existence of rules whatsoever ... thaz for personal work. Commercial graphic work is a very different parallel universe. Art thrives on anarchy, but commerce does not.
I hope this isn’t taken as a rhetorical matter when I say *breaking* rules is verrrry different from *ignoring* rules.
Cleanse your mind and vision of anything rules-based. Whenever you hear, as you certainly will, about visual rules just pass it off as childish chatter of zero value to an adult ... cute talk, worthy at most of a smile and a cookie. Just silly talk with no actual substance.
Simple example of no-rules photography:
If you find you want a particular subject dead center in the frame, it should never hit you as defying a guide line. You chose a sorta “bulls eye” effect cuz thaz what best made your statement. Period. If any “critic” actually praises your “successful breaking of the rule”, just smile and offer them a cookie !
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