Another challenge from Otto v M – know the rules and then break them. Conclusion from me: They are easily broken – but not all in the same photo…Click here for more tries!

In Photography and the Art of Seeing, Freeman Patterson recommends writing down a list of rules we assume to be true of photography… and then break them. Here are ten rules that recur repeatedly:

1) Focus on the centre of interest.
2) Fill the frame with the subject.
3) Do not shoot between 10 am and 3 pm (the light is too harsh).
4) Don’t shoot against the light.
5) Hold the camera steady.
6) Follow the rule of third, e.g. 1/3 sky and 2/3 land or vice versa.
7) Obey the light meter.
8) Photograph children (or pets) at their own eye level.
9) Avoid lens flare when shooting against the sun.
10) Keep the camera level with the horizon.

Before I get to the challenge, I need to tell a saying we have in Scandinavia about the differences between the countries when it comes to rules. Do you know what separates Swedes, Danes and Norwegian from one another? The Swedes follow the rules, the Danes don’t give a damn about rules, and the Norwegians break the rules.

As the good Norwegian I am the challenge will be in accordance with my inherent being: How many of those previous mentioned rules can you break in one picture? Like last time, post a link to the photo here in a comment, and I will pick up the photo and showcase it in a later post.

I look forward to seeing your photos.