Lens-Artists Challenge #347: Break the Rules!
Before I found out there were rules in photography, I was simply shooting what I liked. I agree that rules help make a shot a better image. However, there are times when your intuition speaks louder. Whatever the reason is, it’s your photography and your rules.
This week, Ritva is asking us to break the rules. One of the things she mentioned in her post stuck with me: “Photography is as much about emotion and instinct to me as it is about technical skill.” I agree with her views wholeheartedly. I strongly encourage you to check out her post and photos and understand in your own way what she means about breaking the rules. Full disclosure: I found this challenge one of the hardest for me. It made me think what rule I was breaking when I captured the images I featured here.
In the featured photo, Devil’s Waterhole at Inks Lake SP, I opted to center the horizon line dead-center. The reflections were too perfect not to take advantage of them in creating what caught my eye when I stopped at that scene. In doing so, I broke a rule and followed another: symmetry.
And what about this centered framing of this South American Mock Vervain? Symmetry was all over the plant. To take advantage of that, I broke the rule of not centering your subject in the frame. Also, those who favor “border patrol” in photography will notice many things around the edges of the frame. Could I have minimized or erased them? Nope, nature is not perfect.
This green heron appears to be leaving the frame. I could have used AI to add more terrain on the left side of the image. With the heron moving fast, I did not have the luxury to frame it correctly for this shot. On the other hand, by breaking that rule, I focused on the heron’s determination. The image invites the viewer to wonder what the heron saw. Did it succeed in its pursuit?
Butt shots often don’t mean much. However, when you see your bird feeder at nearly full capacity with House Finches burying their heads in the seeds, it’s too good a shot to miss. Forget the rules!
The final image is a first for me. I’d never seen an egret and a heron so close. What made it challenging was to avoid the egret’s beak from appearing to be scratching the heron’s neck. I could have moved a few steps to the right, but why? This is one of those instances when having the appearance of something going through one’s head — or, in this case, a neck — led to a humorous moment for me. Incidentally, once the egret passed the heron, I got the shot of both birds close to each other and with adequate space separating them. That’s for another post some other time.
Last week, we all went to the movies with Sofia’s Cinematic challenge. What a thrill that was! Terrific photos and takes on the challenge. This week, Ritva asks us to break the rules. I can hardly wait to see what your responses will be. Be sure to check her post, and don’t forget to use the “lens-artists” hashtag when creating your post so we can easily find it in the Reader.
Next week, it is my turn to share a new challenge. It will go live at noon EST in the USA. Tune in to find out more about the challenge then. Please see this page to learn more about the Lens-Artists Challenge and its history.
That is the story behind the shots. If you liked this post, you might also be interested in others featuring Devil’s Waterhole, Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Green Heron, Inks Lake SP, Landscapes, Lens-Artists, Texas, Wildflowers, and Wildlife. Until the next time, keep clicking and capturing the beauty your eyes find.
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Brad Volz
I love your images, title, and reasons for breaking the rules Egidio. And I re-subscribed because I haven’t been seeing your posts and am having a hard time commenting.
Egidio Leitao
Brad, I’m happy you liked the photos. WP is acting up. I did not know your subscription had been dropped. Thanks for joining again.
Sue
Rules or no rules , I enjoyed these, Egidio!
Egidio Leitao
Sue, I’m happy you liked them. Thank you for the feedback.
Yanaj *
Love your post, Egídio! And as Tina I have a problem with WP. Though I’m subscribed to your beautiful site no post showed up for over a week. Really strange. – Anyhow, the images are wonderful. Unique moments are captured and enriched by an enjoyable narrative. Beautiful!
Egidio Leitao
Yanaj, WP is very flaky. It consistently causes problems, removes subscribers, deletes comments, etc. Thank you for your feedback.
Yanaj *
Oh, Egídio, another delay as I haven’t received a notification for this message. Thank you for telling me. I only started using comments for our photo challenges. I’ve only noticed that I have to subscribe to most sites over and over again when I want to comment. In view of this, I must assume that most of the subscribers from LSC were also removed by WP as they all disappeared at once from my list. – That’s really sad and takes a lot of joy out of creating those posts…Still, I’m looking forward to your lovely challenge this week. Serenity is exactly what we need in times like these.
Egidio Leitao
WP throws that subscribe screen at everyone, but you can click a button to continue without subscribing. The button sometimes is nearly hidden or blends in with the background. Poor design on their part. I’m happy you liked the challenge. Thanks for writing.
Yanaj *
Thanks for the response, Egídio. Nothing to do about those irregularities on part of WP then, I guess. – Have a beautiful rest of the week!
Yanaj *
Thank you for letting me know, Egídio. I’ve noticed that I have to subscribe to sites over and over again when I want to comment. And all at once, most of my subscribers from the photo challenges disappeared from the list. In view of this, I must assume that they were removed by WP as well. That’s really sad and takes a lot of joy out of creating posts. – Still, I’m looking forward to your lovely challenge this week. Serenity is exactly what we need in times like these.
Egidio Leitao
This looks like a duplicate. I replied to your previous remarks on this topic. Thanks.
Yanaj *
Yes, it looks like and you can delete it, of course. Thanks for your reply!
Tina Schell
So weird Egidio, I’m finding posts I KNOW I commented on but my comments are not showing 😡including yours! I loved your title BTW. The images as always are terrific, that one of the bird feeder is a show-stopper, it’s so much fun! Also loved your opener of course.
Egidio Leitao
Tina, it’s all WP’s not-fun play! Thanks for your feedback. Yes, the bird feeder was a great capture. Those little birds were busy.
Hammad Rais
Thankfully, breaking up the rules in photography isn’t a crime!
So keep on shooting such lovely captures 🙂
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Hammad. I think that is what we should keep in mind: photograph what we feel and see.
photobyjohnbo
I almost never break the rule of having the subject going into the frame instead of exiting. I’d have probably added the AI background to “fix” it, but I can see that the photo works to lead the viewer to wonder what he is intent on tracking.
The heron and egret photo is a nice capture.
Egidio Leitao
The same here. In fact, I’ll probably re-edit that shot and add some breathing room ahead of the heron. Thanks, John.
Tranature - quiet moments in nature
These are all wonderful images Egídio! I’m a great believer in following instinct rather than rules and the way you captured the heron and egret together is simply fabulous! 😊
Egidio Leitao
Thank you for these kind words, Xenia.
Tra Italia e Finlandia
Sono d’accordo. Le foto sono emozioni.
Egidio Leitao
Grazie. Le foto sono il mio intento di riprodurre ciò che sento.
JohnRH
Great photos Egidio. Centering works well. Once in a rare while I can get a reflection shot I can turn upside down for a teaser. I love all the others too.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, John.
Steve Schwartzman
Compositional “rules” might better be called suggestions. Sometimes they yield good pictures, but violations of the “rules” sometimes also yield good pictures.
Inks Lake State Park is a central Texas treasure of nature. I recognized the Devil’s Waterhole immediately.
Egidio Leitao
That is an unmistakable scene for anyone who’s been at that park. Thanks for writing.
I. J. Khanewala
When photographing wildlife you often don’t have the luxury of composing things well. That shot of the green heron is typical when you are following a fast moving creature. It’s nice and sharp, and does very well to show off the bird. And for the others it was clearly your choice to inject humour into the picture. That works well too.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you for your kind feedback.
Wandering Dawgs
Egidio, I’m glad you broke some rules to get these fabulous shots! The heron and egret one is perfect. The heron looks like he is totally ignoring what the egret is doing. The green heron makes me wonder what prey he is going after. I love the flower that is centered.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Beth. Sometimes we just to click the shutter button and forget about rules.
Steve Hyde
Rules or not, they’re all great shots 🙂
Egidio Leitao
Many thanks, Steve.
Sofia Alves
It’s all about the perfect timing and you had it in your shots, Egídio. God for you to have your own rules, they work beautifully.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks a bunch, Sofia.
Toonsarah
I so agree with you when you say, ‘it’s your photography and your rules’ and I especially love that shot of the finches’ butts!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Sarah. I couldn’t pass that chance to capture the bird feeder shot.
Donna Robinson Photography
Wonderful selections of breaking the rules, Egidio! Your opening shot is stunning. I’m with you, this was a hard challenge! I shoot what I like/looks good/balanced, but not about what “rule” I’m using. 📷😉
Egidio Leitao
Thanks a million, Donna.
Joanne
Ah, such fun! I love the swan and the egret. All great photos, great selection for the challenge.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you so much, Joanne.
Alison
I’m not one for following rules, too many rules in life already! The egret and heron photo is a great shot. One a one in a million photo the bird feeder is. Competition worthy
Egidio Leitao
Alison, thank you for your supportive feedback.
Vicki
That image of the Egret (seemingly) poking its head into the Heron’s neck is priceless. Well done in catching that composition. It definitely brought a smile to my face.
The same with the Heron running out of the frame. I can’t help but wonder where and why it was going so fast.
Centred framing, particularly of flowers, is perfect to me. I’m sure to find many of those shots in my own photo library.
Egidio Leitao
Vicki, thank you for your detailed feedback. Much appreciated.
Anne Sandler
Great post Egidio! You followed your heart and intuition. Excellent examples.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you very much, Anne.
Leanne Cole
It’s funny hearing how many people started photography with not knowing what the rules were. I guess I was the same, but it was a long time ago. I think these images are great and your explanations for why you did what you did make perfect sense. Great images Egidio.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks a million, Leanne.
Terri Webster Schrandt
Rules? Schmules! I also believe photography is about moments. I like following most rules, but you demonstrate the humor and interest when following your gut! I love the heron and egret shot! Well done!
Egidio Leitao
Thank you very much, Terri.