Know the rules, break the rules

Rules, we are surrounded by them, and photography is no exception. From the “Rule of Thirds” to exposure rules, sunny16, etc. photography seems to be governed by rules, and most amateur photographers get intimidated by them quite easily, but there really is no need to be.

These 6 words sum up what I think about photography rules:

There are no rules, just guidelines.

I personally break the “rules” as often, if not more, than follow them, however I find it immensely important to know and understand them. When making an image, I will deliberately make a decision to either follow or break these long standing rules, now once you have been making images for a long time this happens almost instinctively, but a decision deliberate decision is made none-the-less.

Art is about doing what feels right, not about following some rigid set of rules devised by who knows who. As is the case most of the times, rules originated out what was at some point a good idea, but no idea, no matter how good, applies in every situation.

Here are a few examples of some images that I believe work, yet break at least one of the rules:

American Oystercatcher, Isabela PR

One of my favorite images of all time, this Oystercatcher is dead center in the frame, breaking probably rule #1, yet it is a very strong image with lots of appeal. Why? Because of how strong the subject is, this red long bill and the expression/pose of the subject are so strong that this is what want the focal point of the image to be. However, notice that the environment and the background support the subject, this is crucial in making the image work.

Pyrrholoxia, Roma TX

In this image the I found the back of the Pyrrholoxia (don’t ask me to pronounce it) much more interesting than the front, so that is what I took the image of (first broken rule). Notice again the subject centered on the image (second) and, the last and third, broken rule; the perch coming straight out of the corner of the frame. Yet again this image is interesting, compelling and draws in the viewer. Why mostly because of the interesting and stunning subject.

Crested Caracara, Texas

Lastly here we have the one that got away, well almost. On my way to the airport from Roma, TX I kept seeing these Crested Caracaras perched on the side of the road, and every time I tried to make an image they would fly away just as I was pressing the shutter. Out of the dozen or so birds that I tried to get this is the only image that I got that I like. And talk about broken rules, the subject is centered, cant’s see the face, clipped the wings, uninteresting background, yet I still like this image, no matter all the technical flaws.

So go ahead and read up and learn all the rules, just so that you can break them, and know that you are breaking them.

Juan