M1911 wrote:
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.
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.