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04/03/2007 01:34:52 AM · #1 |
There are many "rules of thumb" for photography that I'm sure every photography 101 student learns, but some think they are rules that should never be broken. In general I think they are good guidelines to follow, but sometimes better photos come from breaking them (or at least the photo isn't harmed by breaking them).
So in this thread I would like for people to post famous photos or photos by famous photographers that break common rules of thumb for photography.
Here are some rules to get you started:
1. Rule of thirds
2. Horizontal horizon
3. Horizon never passes through head
4. Always focus on eyes
5. Always shoot from the level of subject's eyes
6. a bigger list of "rules"
And here is my contribution: "Migrant Mother" by Dorothea Lange.
//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Lange-MigrantMother02.jpg
The mother's eyes are out of focus (or at least not as focused as her shirt or the child's head to her left, and there is some sort of distracting element in the right side of the frame.
Message edited by author 2007-04-03 01:35:55. |
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04/03/2007 02:07:18 AM · #2 |
There are some very good "rules" in there, but some of them are sheer crap. Virtually anything with "never" should just be eliminated, or at least rewritten.
A t-shirt is never going to be softer or less-likely to cause scratches than a microfiber cloth unless you've got something physically stuck in the cloth.
Hahaha. Side-note. Use Google Image Search for "Horizon Tilted" and the DPC tutorial for fixing horizons is in the first five.
 Annie Liebovitz photo of Frances McDormand - centered composition
Annie Liebovitz Self Portrait (Adult Content) |
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04/03/2007 02:21:50 AM · #3 |
| it's easy to find photos that broke 1 or 2 of the rules. the real challenge is locating a GOOD one that broke many of the rules. i'm interested to see that good one myself. good thinking. |
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04/03/2007 02:48:25 AM · #4 |
Originally posted by chimericvisions:
There are some very good "rules" in there, but some of them are sheer crap. Virtually anything with "never" should just be eliminated, or at least rewritten.
Annie Liebovitz Self Portrait (Adult Content) |
Talking of sheer crap, I think the Annie Leibovitz self-portrait is, it was only published because she made it - if anyone of us would enter it in a challenge it would hardly score over 5.
Not meaning, all the rules are always good, though - but you CAN go too far.
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04/03/2007 02:52:49 AM · #5 |
Originally posted by eyewave:
Talking of sheer crap, I think the Annie Leibovitz self-portrait is, it was only published because she made it - if anyone of us would enter it in a challenge it would hardly score over 5.
Not meaning, all the rules are always good, though - but you CAN go too far. |
I wasn't necessarily saying it was a good photo. (I don't think it is.) Just that the "pros" break the "rules", too. |
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04/03/2007 02:54:51 AM · #6 |
Originally posted by eyewave:
Originally posted by chimericvisions:
There are some very good "rules" in there, but some of them are sheer crap. Virtually anything with "never" should just be eliminated, or at least rewritten.
Annie Liebovitz Self Portrait (Adult Content) |
Talking of sheer crap, I think the Annie Leibovitz self-portrait is, it was only published because she made it - if anyone of us would enter it in a challenge it would hardly score over 5.
Not meaning, all the rules are always good, though - but you CAN go too far. |
Actually, I find it to be an incredibly engaging portrait. As for what it would score here.. since when is that any indication of how good a photograph is? |
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04/03/2007 02:56:43 AM · #7 |
Originally posted by chimericvisions:
Originally posted by eyewave:
Talking of sheer crap, I think the Annie Leibovitz self-portrait is, it was only published because she made it - if anyone of us would enter it in a challenge it would hardly score over 5.
Not meaning, all the rules are always good, though - but you CAN go too far. |
I wasn't necessarily saying it was a good photo. (I don't think it is.) Just that the "pros" break the "rules", too. |
This is true, but I dont really think the DPC ratings are always the best indicators of a good photograph. This community definitely has its taste, and indeed much of that consists of sticking to the rules |
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04/03/2007 03:02:13 AM · #8 |
Originally posted by chimericvisions:
A t-shirt is never going to be softer or less-likely to cause scratches than a microfiber cloth unless you've got something physically stuck in the cloth. |
The cloth is a huge part of it but like you said, what if something is stuck to the cloth or worse yet already on the lens. I think that is where so many hurt themselves cause they will just wipe the lens without trying to remove the crap by blowing on it or washing it off first.
I think they shouldn't be called rules because they certainly don't apply to every image and most likly hurt beginners creativity cause they try to stay within these "rules". Guidelines is a much better term. |
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04/03/2007 04:09:36 AM · #9 |
Originally posted by Artyste:
Originally posted by eyewave:
Originally posted by chimericvisions:
There are some very good "rules" in there, but some of them are sheer crap. Virtually anything with "never" should just be eliminated, or at least rewritten.
Annie Liebovitz Self Portrait (Adult Content) |
Talking of sheer crap, I think the Annie Leibovitz self-portrait is, it was only published because she made it - if anyone of us would enter it in a challenge it would hardly score over 5.
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Actually, I find it to be an incredibly engaging portrait. As for what it would score here.. since when is that any indication of how good a photograph is? |
Yes, it IS engaging, but still crappy. And I know scores on dpc don't represent the worth or meaning of a photo in the real world - I've sold a lot of 5ish scoring shots as well as shots I'd never dare to enter here.
Still, judging only by the technical and compositional aspects, now photographer less famous than Leibovitz could ever publish such a shot.
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04/03/2007 04:27:49 AM · #10 |
Originally posted by eyewave:
Still, judging only by the technical and compositional aspects, now photographer less famous than Leibovitz could ever publish such a shot. |
that reminded me of the story about the emperor's clothes |
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04/03/2007 04:34:36 AM · #11 |
Always shoot from the level of subject's eyes
this one is crap. pedro taught me to never do this, any other angle but this, for an interesting comp. :p
 pedro
Message edited by author 2007-04-03 04:36:32. |
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04/03/2007 04:36:42 AM · #12 |
Originally posted by goodman:
Always shoot from the level of subject's eyes
this one is crap. pedro taught me to never do this, any other angle but this, for an interesting comp. :p |
Definitely. Pick up the most recent copy of Rangefinder and you'll see that very few of the wedding photos in the entire issue are shot from eye-level. |
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04/03/2007 04:54:36 AM · #13 |
Originally posted by crayon:
Originally posted by eyewave:
Still, judging only by the technical and compositional aspects, now photographer less famous than Leibovitz could ever publish such a shot. |
that reminded me of the story about the emperor's clothes |
empresses clothes would "fit" better here
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04/03/2007 11:32:02 AM · #14 |
Originally posted by goodman:
Always shoot from the level of subject's eyes
this one is crap. pedro taught me to never do this, any other angle but this, for an interesting comp. :p
pedro |
well i'm not sure I said never, but typically I don't shoot from eye level. I try to avoid always and never...I'm nowhere near consistent enough to be able to live up to absolutes :) |
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04/03/2007 11:45:21 AM · #15 |
Originally posted by Pedro:
Originally posted by goodman:
Always shoot from the level of subject's eyes
this one is crap. pedro taught me to never do this, any other angle but this, for an interesting comp. :p
pedro |
well i'm not sure I said never, but typically I don't shoot from eye level. I try to avoid always and never...I'm nowhere near consistent enough to be able to live up to absolutes :) |
What about children?
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04/03/2007 11:51:25 AM · #16 |
It's a good idea to know the rules very well,
before starting to break them. |
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04/03/2007 12:01:27 PM · #17 |
Originally posted by De Sousa:
It's a good idea to know the rules very well,
before starting to break them. |
absolutely agree with this :)
and yes A_H, I tend to shoot kids from above too - but it's all relative...I'd still shoot from a lower angle than i would an adult. |
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04/03/2007 12:04:21 PM · #18 |
| Photographs up people's noses or crotches can be rather distracting. |
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04/03/2007 12:08:01 PM · #19 |
Originally posted by quiet_observation:
Photographs up people's noses or crotches can be rather distracting. |
I learned quite quickly how bad those angles can be ;) laughing |
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04/03/2007 12:22:39 PM · #20 |
Originally posted by De Sousa:
It's a good idea to know the rules very well,
before starting to break them. |
I agree completely with this. When breaking a rule you should do it with a specific purpose, not out of ignorance. |
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04/03/2007 12:25:53 PM · #21 |
ok ok so i meant nearly never, general photography,
not necessarily portraits.
(never let a chance go to promote oneself) ;)
Message edited by author 2007-04-03 12:32:10. |
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04/03/2007 12:42:04 PM · #22 |
I have to disagree with #1. You can't fill the frame and expect to be able to crop to and 8x10. I've learned that I have to padding the sides a small amount in order to be able to crop to different sizes. |
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04/03/2007 12:45:19 PM · #23 |
There are no rules for good photographs, there are only good photographs.
Ansel Adams
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04/03/2007 12:50:57 PM · #24 |
Originally posted by De Sousa:
It's a good idea to know the rules very well,
before starting to break them. |
that's always been my mantra. you have to know the rules to know when to break them.
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04/03/2007 01:06:38 PM · #25 |
Originally posted by quiet_observation:
Photographs up people's noses or crotches can be rather distracting. |
Distracting or enthralling. Depends on what kind of photography. :p |
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Annie Liebovitz photo of Frances McDormand - centered composition
