Post by Saknika on Apr 21, 2010 20:18:27 GMT -5
Everyone has heard of them right? The different "rules" that people say you have to follow in order to do it right? And the pros that say breaking them is for the better.
By rules, we're talking things like sunny 16, how low of a shutter speed before you can't hand-hold, color balance, angles, ect.
How do you feel about those kinds of things? Do you try to follow them, or break them?
Personally, I feel that you have to at least learn them and try them, before you break them. Otherwise, how are you going to know when it's a good idea to break the rules, or when you should stick with them? It's not always a good idea to do, after all, but it can add an incredibly creative touch to a photo. The other thing is that you will better understand photography by using these things, since they tend to produce certain effects, and those can be a guide for experimentation.
For example, when photographing the sun/moon, you're supposed to use the sunny 16 rule which states f/16 at 1/125th of a sec exposure. This will give you a sharp, crisp sun/moon, with little to no glowy halo effect. With this as a standard, you can then change your exposure, and not only get a better feel for you camera, but you can use it as a control. Think back to science labs for that one.
My other feeling is that sometimes it can be personal preference that dictates how one sees an image, and how one photographs it. So if you broke the rules because you liked the angle with the building, just because someone (like me) comes in and doesn't care for the angle doesn't mean it's because the rules state that you shouldn't do that. I just don't care for angles much. And hopefully, the person leaving the critique will let you know if it's their personal opinion.
So I really think these "rules" have their place in photography, but I don't think you should let them be a restriction.
By rules, we're talking things like sunny 16, how low of a shutter speed before you can't hand-hold, color balance, angles, ect.
How do you feel about those kinds of things? Do you try to follow them, or break them?
Personally, I feel that you have to at least learn them and try them, before you break them. Otherwise, how are you going to know when it's a good idea to break the rules, or when you should stick with them? It's not always a good idea to do, after all, but it can add an incredibly creative touch to a photo. The other thing is that you will better understand photography by using these things, since they tend to produce certain effects, and those can be a guide for experimentation.
For example, when photographing the sun/moon, you're supposed to use the sunny 16 rule which states f/16 at 1/125th of a sec exposure. This will give you a sharp, crisp sun/moon, with little to no glowy halo effect. With this as a standard, you can then change your exposure, and not only get a better feel for you camera, but you can use it as a control. Think back to science labs for that one.
My other feeling is that sometimes it can be personal preference that dictates how one sees an image, and how one photographs it. So if you broke the rules because you liked the angle with the building, just because someone (like me) comes in and doesn't care for the angle doesn't mean it's because the rules state that you shouldn't do that. I just don't care for angles much. And hopefully, the person leaving the critique will let you know if it's their personal opinion.
So I really think these "rules" have their place in photography, but I don't think you should let them be a restriction.
