Breaking the Rules
(Photographic Rules, that is)
There are many common rules for photos. And most of them are worth breaking! This photo is an example of at least ONE broken rule: “Don’t put your horizon in the middle of the photo.” That’s generally true, but in this case, I envisioned a mirrorlike effect on the small lake with the Chicago Skyline in the background reflected on the relatively still water. That necessitated the horizon in the middle, as far as I was concerned! Heightens the effect even though it broke a rule.
Same scene…taken from a vantage point about 50 yards from the other photo…and taken earlier, before sunset. Same lens (standard, 50mm). Same camera. Note that the horizon is in the middle on this one, too! “Oh no,” you may be thinking!! But I did that consciously because I felt that the buildings and the couple with the bike made up two separate scenes and I liked the way the horizon served to emphasize that difference. It’s kinda like they’re sharing the same frame, but are kept separate by the horizon. I think it makes your eye go back and forth between the two parts of the photo.
NOTE: After I took this photo, I approached this couple and told them I had just taken their photo and hoped they didn’t mind. I told them I wasn’t soliciting or trying to sell anything, but that I would gladly send them a copy of the photo if they wanted if they would give me one of their e-mail addresses. They smiled back, looked at each other, and kindly deferred. Oh well…
By the way, I’ve heard that taking photos of people in public places is not breaking a rule (though don’t take that as a verified legal opinion!). But, I still like to engage with people I photograph as much as I can or, as in this case, offer them a copy.
I like this photo a lot. First of all, it’s starring Charlie, our youngest grandson, who was staying at our house for a few days. We had lunch in Lake Forest and we kept seeing trains go by, and that caught his interest! Especially since he was carrying and using our binoculars. So, when were safely across the street, behind the gates, on the walkway, AND when there were no trains within view (using the binoculars to check and be sure), I quickly asked him to stop on the manhole cover and I took this photo. Luckily, things lined up even better than I had hoped! But, I broke two photographic rules! I used a 24mm wide angle lens (which is not supposed to be used for people shots) and I placed Charlie smack dab in the middle of the photo (with all the converging lines around him. C’mon…that was a no-brainer to break those rules!
Thanks, Charlie!
The thing that I’ve learned about photo rules is that it’s good to KNOW what they are and adhere to them. But, it’s also good to know when to break them.
Thanks for stopping by!
Stephen M. Levin
www.stephenmlevinphotos.com
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If only they knew how great of a shot you just took!?!?!?!? Oh well is right! Great post Stephen. I like to call them suggestions, not rules.
Ooohh…I like that: Suggestions!
That’s not the first time I’ve been turned down from a similar offer. I get it. People can be leery of such offers, regardless of apparent intent.
So glad you like that photo and the post! I like your blog posts, too, as you know! Talk about creative…wow!!
(To see John’s gorgeous photography in his blog post, go here: http://johnbarclayphotography.com/blog/)
Stephen, In my mind as creative photo artist’s we have only “Guidelines”. I never felt we had “Rules of Thirds”,etc. Your images so creative balance. Glad you like to “Break” the rules. That shows creativity.
Yes, guidelines! Another good interpretation.
I think I start out using the guidelines and then adjust according to the scene. It gets to be kind of intuitive…right, Stan?
Thanks much!
Beautiful pictures
Oh…so sweet of you, Nancy! Appreciated.
Thanks.
When it comes to art, the main rule is that rules may be broken. For fun. For personal judgment. For sharing great ideas, like these photos. Thanks.
Always like your feedback! You have a way with words…wink, wink.
Thanks, much!
Always love to see what you “catch” when you go out taking photos while I am in a book club meeting – whether in Lake Forest or Lincoln Park.
I usually wonder the same thing…I don’t know what I’m gonna end up with.
Fun adventures, always!
I tend to be a rule breaker. It certainly turned out well for you in these photos.
Thanks, Debbie! Glad you think so, too.
I’m considering your phrase ‘rules of photography’ and I’m stuck. My first thought is to wonder how those rules are disseminated. I assume those rules are largely anecdotal and were formed over decades.
The middle picture seems very Currier & Ives. Please know that I’m not sure what I mean.
The rules are essentially carried over from the art world. That is, composition rules and things of that nature. More contemporary “photography specific” rules have been added over the years according to common practice and custom. For example, don’t do a closeup of someone’s face with wide angle lens.
Many of the rules have a real justification or explanation. For example, they evolved because of the way it was learned or determined the viewer looks at things…where does his/her eye go when looking at an image.
It’s a similar situation to the way someone expects a kind of food to taste… And, using that familiar (to you) analogy, you can change the recipe and sometimes get a surprising (and sometimes pleasant!!) response.
How are the rules disseminated? If one studies photography, eventually they come across these rules in books, classes, seminars…you name it. Generally speaking, they can be useful for improving composition…as can breaking the rules, too!
Yes!! Currier and Ives!! haha
Thanks, Dave.
Just beautiful. Love your work!!
Thanks, Barb! You know how much I appreciate that.