There are various rules in photography. The rule of thirds, the 500 rule, and the Sunny 16 rule, to name a few.
While beginners may find them bewildering, experienced photographers often break the rules.
When should you adhere to the rules, and when is it appropriate to break them?
The Basics
First, recognize that these rules exist for a reason. It’s like the chords in music: you start with the basics, and then you can play around with them.
Ed Sheeran is well-known for writing songs using four chords: Em (E minor), C, G, and D. If you haven’t seen how magical it is when he performs these songs, look it up on Google.
Take “proper exposure” as an example. Some might say there’s no such thing. Is that true? Overexposing or underexposing your photos can lead to data loss, known as “clipping.” In landscape photography, blowing out the sky is one of the common mistakes beginners make.
In post-processing, you have the creative freedom to make them darker, brighter and color grade according to your vision. As long as the “input” is of good quality, the “output” is up to you.
Context is Key
What works in one scenario may not work in another. The principle is simple: break the rules, but only for a good reason.
In essence, we learn certain techniques, but that doesn’t mean we must adhere to them rigidly. Creative freedom is essential. I frequently experiment with different cropping styles and color grading, revisiting them later with fresh eyes. If you believe that breaking the rules leads to better outcomes, go for it!
Trial & Error
Don’t ignore the rules entirely, but don’t let them confine you either. I often rely on trial and error to find out what works best, especially when it comes to shutter speed.
If someone insists that there’s only one way to do things, challenge it; you will learn a lot in the process. I always think that intentional camera movement (ICM) was first discovered by accident.
In fact, that’s how I took this picture: I used a slow shutter and clicked the shutter button while unintentionally moving my camera. It turned out great! Here is another one.
Composition
We have a natural inclination to explanations, that’s one way to make sense of the world.
When it comes to composition, I often skip teaching the rule of thirds, as it feels cliched. Yet, it remains one of the simplest ways to place your subject and make it look good, especially when cropping in post.
Master the rules, then break them
Beginners need rules and labels to help them understand what makes a picture tick. For veterans, after doing the same thing a million times, you begin to look for new ways to do it. It makes total sense to thrive on experimentation. Creating art is a state of flow, sometimes leading you to uncharted territories!