E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Yup! Rule #1- Do not put your finger in the chain who the saw is running!

Rule #2- Require education: See the movie "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

Certain undisputable photography rules:

Do not use yo electronic flas equipment in your bathtub or a swimming pool.

If you still run a darkroom, do not splash water into acid.

Do not mix Potassium Ferocynide with a Rapid fixer that contains Sulphuric Acid to make a bleaching solution. It won't exactly turn your darkroom into a deadly gas chamber but it will liberate enough gas to make you sick and give you one hell of eye irritation. If you detect the odour of roasting almonds, it ain't you nuts that are roasting- it's your eyeballs!

If you keep a film fridge in your darkroom- unscrew the lightbulb inside the refrigerator. Poping it open for a quick beer or a soda during a long film process can cause all kinds of aggravation.

Other than the above, do whatever you like!

srt101fan

Of course.... 😕

srt101fan

😁😀

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

But not knowing is not an excuse.

User ID

And just *why*, pray tell, should you need an excuse ?

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

You're still missing it. It's a play on words.

Paul: Being unaware of the rules is not an excuse for failing to follow them.
Me: I did not know that.

Re-read and connect the two statements.
(unaware≈not know)

User ID

I did not know that.

I was unaware ...

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Another format of an earlier comment, one that now seems worth repeating:

The first rule on breaking a rule is to know everything about the rule, especially the consequences.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Otherwise you'll be saying "I did not know that would happen."

Wallen Loc: Middle Earth

Personally, I've always find that quote confusing. Consulting is advising or seeking advice. We can't do neither with gravity and surely, we need to look at composition to make better photos if we do not want to rely on luck.

Contrary to the gist if his quote; before we can walk, we need to accept and understand gravity.
That gravity accepts no weakness nor mistakes, it will make us fall. So with strength, we first learn to balance and stand to prevent that fall. Then we learn to deliberately unbalance ourselves and catch the fall safely. That's the first step. We do that often and we learn to walk. Then as we get better we learn to run.

In photography, first we need to know how to operate the camera. That is the strength.
Then we just shoot. At this point we need to learn about light & exposure settings. That is the balancing and standing part.
Then we worry about getting a better image and start to dawdle with composition. That is the first step.
If in every picture we keep on aiming for a good composition, then we walk.
When we know it by heart and becomes natural, then we run.


He is correct that it is possible to not worry about composition and just take a photo. Yes it can be done but
that would be tantamount to just standing there without any other progress.

Acknowledging gravity is a must even before we can stand. Striving for a good composition is a must for improving our photos.

Granted we can learn/rediscover what works by our own resolve and use a good technique without knowing that it is actually a rule of composition, knowing & understanding the rules would be learning and improving faster. Because then, we would be building up on the foundations and solutions already made by the masters who took the path before us.

So for me, It is also illogical to hear from someone who knew the rules that he only applies them after he already created something. It is akin to an engineer computing if a bridge would not collapse only after the bridge is already built.


As was written previously; Fully understanding that those were actually a guides, makes each one of those rules a starting point with an almost endless possibilities. And when the moment comes, when one no longer hope or guess, when one creates by deliberate intent and action- Then that is the time one becomes unbounded by the rules and a master of his craft.

Curmudgeon Loc: SE Arizona

People who shoot fixed objects or in a studio have the luxury of taking their time. Most of the discussion has been about those situations.

We who are wildlife hunters usually don't have the time to think about composition, rule of thirds or those other rules. Our first and only rule is GET THE SHOT. Shooting birds one shot is often all we get, with macro, composition is the least of our concerns. Large animals often give us the opportunity for multiple shots where you have time to consider the rules. Even in this case the first rule is GET THE SHOT.

Wallen Loc: Middle Earth

Yes getting the shot is of utmost importance.
When I shoot wildlife, I still take the composition in consideration and shoot to allow for adjusting the composition when I crop or edit the photos.

The same also applies to other action shots.

josquin1 Loc: Massachusetts

Sounds like you want everything to stay the same. Change does not happen without breaking the rules.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

To every rule there is an exception, and an idiot ready to demonstrate it. Don't be the one.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

I work in a studio- it's my main job right now. In the past, however, I have had to work in many circumstances and conditions where extremely fast, almost split-second shooting was required. I worked for a big-city daily newspaper- lots of fast action sports- motorsports, HHL Hockey, baseball, football Rugby Wrestelg and boxing not to meant riots, protests, street violence, and many events were human expressions fleeting as well. I also had some rather grizzly experience of shooting in an anctve war zone. So, I had to get the shoots- I agree with you! My point, however, is that fast reactions and good composition are not necessarily mutually exclusive.

Of course, there are times when you just shoot without delay and ask yourself questions later. I have had to shoot over mobs and obstacles holding the camera over my head with no access to the viewfinder. In many cases, with experience you get to be able to anticipate actions of athletes, rioting vandals, wild animals, birds, people dancing, whatever and you automatically consider composition by leave space in the right places, etc. If you are a "hunter" you get to know the habits of what you are hunting.

Nowadays, I do spend time in a nice air-conditioned studio shooting static objects and professional models. I still have to do other assignments that require nimble shooting. I don't always get it perfect the first time out but once I get the rhythm, my composition improves.