Ritva says: ”We work so hard to learn the photography rules, at least I do but now it is time to BREAK them!! The problem is just that in order to break a rule, you must know that there is a rule in the first place!” And, as I used to say to my Swedish language students: You have to learn the rules first – then you can break them with style.
I included a short composition map, but I will also try to break some other ”rules”, (like not having a sharp focus…).
Many of us recognise these, or at least a couple of them. But do we use them? Like Ritva said, I think most of us use our instinct and emotion – and we get it ”right” that way too. So, Ritva, I’m ready to try and break some rules!
Framed – but a blurred object. Who is this? We still recognise the silhouette… so familiar to many of us. A (black)bird.
Tilting the camera for a more interesting and playful photo. I didn’t fill the frame – Empty space?
B&W for contrast – a double rose with focus in the middle.
ICM and irregular repetition, still there is rhythm and balance.
Differently framed, low perspective. No rule of thirds. It works because of the big umbrella leaves with interesting patterns and colours.
Going low with a moving object – not so good! I fell over of course – Milo is a too loving guy. Just seconds before this he was snoozing relaxedly in the grass. Let sleeping dogs lie…a good rule to follow.
For once I photographed letting go of the rule of odds – but there wasn’t any other option – these two were made for each other.
Looking through some photos with objects, I mostly had odd numbers in the pictures. I believe my two most used ”rules” must be the rule of thirds and the rule of odds. But they come intuitively – it just looks best that way! (Or – maybe I have known that for so long that it feels intuitive?)
Last week we enjoyed so many creative and cinematic photos with Sofia’s challenge. So, time to continue on the same track this week! Next week, it’s Egídio’s turn to host on Saturday, May 10th—hope to see you then! In the mean time, stay kind and keep smiling. Make someone’s day a little brighter – I think that is just what you did, Ritva!
Leya 
I really like your diagram of what composition should look like – I should take copy of that and put it on my wall. I love your examples too.
Thank you Karina! I had fun with this challenge.
Beautiful as always Ann-Christine. The opening chart is interesting, I’d not seen that before. As for the images, I love them all but especially the rose and the big leaves. Milo merits inclusion rule or no rule – he’s too cute to leave out!
Thank you, Tina! A great challenge with lots of fun!
Great pictures, Ann-Christine! Especially the B&W rose (Beautiful) and such lovely colors in the ICM and umbrella leaves. Milo is precious looking, that’s a wonderful picture. 😊
Sylvia- Milo is a gem. But you have some real beauties!
Nice examples, Ann-Christine! The camera tilt and at Milo’s level are my faves!
Thank you John!
Great examples of breaking the rules Ann-Christine, I am still laughing at you going low. I hope you were okay.
Haha, yes, I was ok. A good laugh and a bundle of me, Milo and the camera. He loves those opportunities when I am defenseless..
These are fantastic examples for the challenge. 😊
Thank you!
You may be breaking the rules with that last one but I find those vases to be perfectly photographed. Are they yours? They are gorgeous.
I just answered, but it doesn’t show up . .Unfortunately I don’t have that money-or would love to own those vases!
An excellent post for the prompt, Ann Christine- some great examples! I love the ICM image- works brilliantly because you haven’t got great tracks of white which I seem to get when the sky gets included, and I love your getting rid of the ru le of odds!
Haha, well – thank you very much , Sue!
I LOVE those two ceramics, and for once it didn’t matter that there weren’t odds, perhaps helped by the fact that those two were different heights
Yes, and shapes!
😊
They work beautifully 🙂..
Your ICM is exquisite, I’d have that on the wall! And the colours on your umbrella leaves are beautiful. A wonderful post, Ann-Christine. You don’t need rules to make art.
Thank you so much, Sofia! ICM can have happy results, but sometimes not that happy …This one obviously made a good impression. I think it is comforting to know that we manage quite well without rules!
I was interested to see that composition map. I know most if not all of those rules but I’m not sure I’ve ever seen them set out so succinctly. And your examples are great – I especially liked the B&W double exposure rose and the ICM shot 🙂
Thank you, Sarah! I needed that chart in order to understand what to do….😂
Dear Ann-Christine
The rule-breaking makes the pictures interesting. Well done.
Thanks for sharing
The Fab Four of Cley
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
Thank you ! I agree on the more interesting options in such photos.
Ann-Christine, your instincts and emotions were correct on each of these images. The vase image is perfect. Thanks for the chart of the rules for photo composition. Some of these rules are new to me.
Glad yoy liked them! And some where new to me as well. Triangles? I had to look that one up. A fun challenge.
Exceptional rule breaking images! I like how you added the chart for reference, too!
Glad you enjoyed it, Donna! I needed that reference chart to understand what I was doing…
Brilliant Ann – that chart was interesting, some new rules there for me. All these rule breakers are good, I especially like the shot of your dog 🙂
Thank you, Steve. He is a charmer!
Excellet rule-breaking! I too most enjoyed the umbrella leaves and the vases.
Thank you, Margaret! Those vases were really something. Cost a fortune, so, only a photo…😅
Nearly as good ….
You could break them all day long and we’d probably never notice, Ann-Christine. You have the power to charm xx
😁😁😁
The summary chart does seem to cover most options…lots of options… and if course some say
Ooops.Rules are meant to be broken, and the chart gives plenty of scope to smudge the rules 😄
Haha, well, yes!
Such a wonderfully spirited take on photography—thoughtful, bold, and playfull!
The mix of instinct, visual rhythm, and the loving interruption by Milo creates a narrative that’s artistic.
Love your take, AC.
I am so happy you liked it, mr Philo, I had fun putting it together!
Oops! I think I constantly break the ”rule of odds”. Thank you for the chart of rules. But the photos work nicely.
I am glad you liked it – and yes , in general our photos work anyway!
Milo looks huge! 🙂
Haha, well, lying on the ground he is big! 23 kilos and 48 cm high
Ann-Christine, your post was very informative with the summary chart and your clear examples. I liked all the photos, and especially, Milo and the vase. Milo looks enormous.
I am glad you liked them, Egidio. Milo is 48cm high and weighs 23 kilos – yes, he looks very big looking up from the ground! And he is no lap dog..
The umbrella leaf and vase images are wonderful. To breaking the rules!
💜Thank you!
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