“Breaking the Rules: When and How to Do It in Photography”
Photography often finds itself entwined with an extensive list of rules, conventions devised to guide new photographers through the complex world of image making. From the rule of thirds to leading lines, these conventions serve as a valuable foundation. However, the real artistry in photography often emerges precisely when these rules are bent or broken. Knowing when and how to deviate from established norms can transform an ordinary image into something extraordinary.
The rule of thirds is perhaps the most well-known guideline in photography, suggesting that images are more balanced when subjects are placed at the intersection points of an imaginary nine-part grid. Yet, sometimes, placing your subject dead center or along the edge can create a sense of unease, curiosity, or focus that compellingly draws the viewer’s attention. It is vital to understand that while the rule of thirds promotes balanced compositions, disrupting this balance can generate tension or highlight particular narrative elements within your frame.
Another rule to break is the directive to avoid high ISO settings because they can introduce unwanted noise into photos. However, embracing noise can add an organic, gritty texture to an image, enhancing emotion or atmosphere. In dimly lit environments like concerts or night scenes, allowing grain to seep into a photograph can authentically capture the mood and movement that a pristine, noiseless image might not convey.
Focus is another pillar in conventional photography. Crisp, sharp images dominate the field, yet intentionally incorporating blur through methods like panning or bokeh can inject a sense of dynamism or isolate your subject in an illustrative fashion. Deliberate focus manipulation can imply motion, dreaminess, or simply focus the viewer’s attention with greater intensity on what remains sharp within the frame.
Moreover, the conventional guidance to always ‘get it right in-camera’ sometimes discourages creative exploration. While discipline in composition and exposure is essential, experimenting with post-processing tools can be another avenue to break free from orthodox methods. Digital manipulation allows for extraordinary flexibility—altering colors, merging images, or distorting perspectives can craft visuals that challenge reality and delight the imagination.
Breaking the rule that advises against shooting in harsh midday sunlight presents another opportunity. While soft, diffused lighting is often preferred for its flattering qualities, harsh light can create stark, dramatic shadows and high-contrast scenarios that accentuate texture and form. Using intense lighting strategically, photographers can unveil a raw, authentic aesthetic especially effective in street or fashion photography.
Shooting with wide aperture settings to create shallow depth of field is typically encouraged to separate subjects from their backgrounds. Departing from this by using narrow apertures can keep entire scenes in focus, presenting a more democratic visual narration where no single element dominates. This approach can enhance storytelling, especially in travel or landscape photography where the context is as significant as the subject.
A unique angle or perspective can transform a mundane capture into an extraordinary one, yet many photographers religiously adhere to shooting at eye level. Breaking this rule by experimenting with low-angle or bird’s-eye views redefines spatial relationships and alters perceptions, inviting viewers to engage with the familiar in novel ways. Additionally, tilting the camera for a deliberately slanted composition can infuse an image with a dynamic edge, suggesting movement or disorder.
The convention of shooting within ‘optimal’ conditions, such as the golden hour, often overshadows the creative potential found in less traditionally appealing circumstances. Embracing fog, rain, or even twilight hours can add an element of mystery and emotion to your shots. These conditions can complement or contradict the action within a scene, providing complex layers of meaning that disciplined adherence to rules might eliminate.
Finally, in the realm of portrait photography, the rule requiring eye contact can be overridden to instigate curiosity and narrative depth. Allowing subjects to gaze elsewhere can signify introspection, longing, or reveal something about their character indirectly. This absence of direct connection often says more than a straightforward gaze could, offering fresh narratives for the audience to explore.
Successful rule-breaking in photography is less about rebelling for rebellion’s sake, and more about intentionality. Every decision to transgress established principles should serve the greater aim of emotional, narrative, or visual impact. This practice requires a deep understanding of the rules in the first place—a mastery that enables one to see where rules can be transcended without losing coherence or intention. For those willing to take calculated risks, breaking photographic conventions can lead to inventive, striking, and profoundly original work that resonates with viewers.
