From the book “Photography and the Art of Seeing” (1979), Freeman Patterson has photography rules to take note of and to break them.
#1
Rule: Focus on the center of interest
Break: Keep the center of interest out of focus; play with the blance of forms
#2
Rule: Fill in the frame with the subject
Break: Allow space around the subject; look for interaction with the environment
#3
Rule: Do not shoot between 10 A.M. and 3 P.M. (golden hours)
Break: Shoot on any day, at any time
#4
Rule: Do not shoot against the light
Break: Photography only against the light for a month
#5.
Rule: Hold the camera steady
Break: Shoot while jumping up and down or spinning around
#6
Rule: Follow the “rule of thirds”
Break: Vary composition. Respond emotionally
#7
Rule: Obey the light meter
Break: Disobey. Mess up the zone system. Oversexpose and underexpose by three , even 4 f/stops
#8
Rule: Photography children (and pets) at their own eye level;
Break: Move up, down on the side, all over
#9
Rule: Avoid lens flare when shooting against the sun ;
Break: Use lens flare to enhance a composition
#10
Rule: Keep camera level with the horizon
Break: Create your own horizons.
Pretty interesting stuff I thought. Here’s also a blog by photographers exercising these tricks.
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