My breaking- rules photos: Photography Rules Contact Sheet

Rules are guidelines to take good photos; “good” means photos that the public usually agrees on. A good composition that follows the rules can lead the viewers to the main subject and explain the context. Rules can help new photographers to begin their photography journey and take “good” photos. On the other hand, being restricted or fixed to the rules may also make your composition “boring,” which means a lack of creativity.

There are many rules people agree on, which include good framing, use of light, clear focus, balanced structure, use of patterns and colors, no blurry images, no cuttings of joints, etc. One of the most important and basic rules is the rule of thirds. This rule splits the image into 3×3, which creates nine equal sections. When you take pictures, place the main subject at one of the four spots where the lines intersect. Viewers will likely be drawn to the subject in the intersecting spots. Another rule that guides beginners is to find a clean background; it helps to focus more on the main subject.

When a photographer starts to develop their style and wants to be creative, they tend to break the rules. Breaking the rules helps them reach their ideas and what they want to express. Breaking the rules is fine as long as a photographer can explain what they are trying to express in their photos and are satisfied with it. In my opinion, people should not judge photos as “bad” or “great.” Photography is different in everyone’s eyes, and everyone looks at the world differently. Some photos in my eyes that are “bad” might be “great” photos in others.

Context/ title is important because it gives the purpose or function of a photo; it also sets a goal for the photographers about how they want to express the message. Looking at Baldessari’s example, if viewers didn’t see the title “Wrong,” people wouldn’t understand the intention of this photo. When we first saw the picture, we were all confused. Because this picture has no focus, it doesn’t follow the rule of three or the golden ratio. The whole photo seems random with a lack of meaning. However, after we know this photo is named “Wrong,” it makes sense. Through this series of photographs, Baldessari wants to tell people that there is no right or wrong in a composition. Personally, I don’t like this picture a lot because although it’s creative, it doesn’t follow any rules and fits the public eyes’ of a “good” composition.

“Wrong” – By John Baldessari