Learn The Rules - Then Break Them

Most of the "Rules of Photography" are made to be broken. There are all kinds of rules, how to properly compose, how to arrive at the proper exposure, maximize depth of field, shoot up, always position your strobe to minimize scatter, etc. Once mastered, most of these rules should become simply tools which combine with a creative eye to produce the final result.

As a novice the goal should be to master these basic rules. Read all you can and spend as much time in the water and behind a light table as possible. Apply the established rules and begin to visualize the final result before you squeeze that shutter release. When you can begin to look at your final images and say "Yea, that's just what I was trying to do", rather than "Wow that's a great shot, but how the heck did I do it." you will know you're on the right track.You need to master the fundamentals before you can expect to move beyond them.

Maybe its time to step out from between the lines. Here lies the true art of photography. Once you master the rules, don't allow them to define the limits of your creative vision. If you see a shot that you feel has great creative potential, but breaks some or all the accepted "rules", then by all means forget the rules and take the shot. In fact, always be on the lookout for ways to break the rules in a creative way. Turn them upside down, combine them in new ways or discard them entirely, this is the way to truly creative results which command a second look. In this way you always approach photography from a creative perspective, rather than a cookbook style which may produce acceptable results but little more. As the saying goes, "Stay between the lines.", but always be on the lookout for the creative opportunity to leap beyond them.

Your questions and comments are welcomed.

Randy Morse
eMail: RMorse@rickeng.com