Did someone say, “break the rules?” Why, YES! Yes, they did! Ritva leads this week, and she is challenging us to break the rules of photography! As Ritva goes on to say in her challenge, “Photography is as much about emotion and instinct to me as it is about technical skill. In those moments when we abandon the constraints of traditional guidelines, we open ourselves up to unexpected and beautiful outcomes in my case many times by mistake.”
So, what rules have I broken?
Perfect Patterns: This little seagull greeted us one morning when we were in Malibu many years ago. He was so cute, and I couldn’t resist taking the photo before he flew away. Goodness knows I wasn’t even thinking about the rules I was breaking (look at all the squares, lines, rectangles and diamonds). I just wanted the shot.
Rule of Thirds: Next up, a macro shot gone bad. During a visit to the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, I was experimenting with my new macro lens. I don’t remember what type of plant this was, I just saw an opportunity to practice shooting macro from a top-down view of the bud. The end result looks a little bit like something floating in outer space. I still thought it was a pretty cool shot, so I kept it.
Don’t Shoot into the Sun: A very BIG rule was broken on the next image, but quite honestly it couldn’t be helped. When you’re lucky enough to have an airshow fly directly over your house you have no time to think and have to be very quick with your shot. Because they are flying directly above you, it’s almost impossible not to shoot into the sun. What really works about this image is the silhouette of the pilots.
Blurry Photos: My last image of broken rules was a poor attempt at catching a Mourning Dove bathing in the bird bath. Instead, he took off and I caught him in mid-flight. Yep, the image is blurry, but do you see what I see?
What photography rules have you broken lately where you opened yourself up to an unexpected and beautiful outcome?
Be sure to check-out Ritva’s original post to view her wonderful examples of broken rules. Next week, Edigio (Through Brazilian Eyes) leads.
If you want to know more about the Lens-Artists Challenge, please click here.
Until next time!
~donna
Donna Robinson Photography 
you really showed creative ways to move away from rules and the bird bath shot is my fav
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Thank you so much! It was a really fun challenge.
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🙂
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You are showing the fun for brake the rules, Donna! Excellent selections. 🙂
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Thanks, Amy. This was a fun challenge.
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I like the brid bath one the most – and good post for the broken rules theme
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Thank you! It was a fun challenge.
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🙂
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I’d say photography is fun when we just do what we feel like and experiment, your photos show us just that. Love the jet, very cleverly done.
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I couldn’t agree with you more, Sophia! Glad you enjoyed my photos!📷😉
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Great post Donna! I like the silhouette effect on the plane. I see the angel, but I also see a man with flying hair, bushy eyebrows and a beard.
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Thank you, Anne! Isn’t the silhouette cool?! Hmm, I haven’t heard a man with flying hair, bushy eyebrows and a beard before……..but I can definitely see it, now that you mention it. 😉📷
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Know the rules and then break them in both writing and photography 😊
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Yep! Let the creative juices flow…..
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Why did I see and angle? The first image I would have tried to get too. A moment. the floating flower is fun. You did well breaking the rules and doing so you created memories.
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That’s a very good question. The angel bird shot is one of my favorite “mistakes.”
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Wow, what a joyful rebellion against the rulebook! These photos aren’t just shots—they’re visual anthems of instinct over instruction. From sun-flaring jets to mid-flight doves, the “oops” turned into art.
👍👍👍
Philo
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Why thank you, Philo! Photography is more fun when you break the rules every once in a while. 📷😉
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Indeed, D R.
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