Tag Archives: Rules

When you take a photograph do you always follow the rules?

No, sometimes we take a shot for a personal reason. We like to have something as a keepsake that helps us remember what we did that day. Is that right?

We have all taken photographs that have little to commend them in terms of aesthetics, composition, content, or photographic merit. The picture of the kids playing ball, the sun high, specular highlights blown out all over the place and the horizon crooked is almost a sort of cliché. I am convinced, after talking to lots of fellow photographers that every one of us has one, or many more, of these. It is perfectly OK, and nothing to be ashamed of. Our lives as photographers should not get in the way of our lives as ordinary people, lovers, family, friends, members of the human race.

Priorities

We should not become so wrapped up in the photography that we miss the moment. Photography is a great hobby. I love it. If you are reading this you at least have more than a passing interest. So lets remember that the life of the photographer is about capturing meaningful images. The inner life of ourselves should be satisfied by meeting our inner needs. Our priorities are our safety, home, comfort, family and people we love. We sometimes forget those are our priorities. Having a little time for improving our photography is about giving ourselves something to realise a higher potential in ourselves. Our photography gives additional meaning to our lives, some creativity and fun.

When you have a chance to catch a scene with personal meaning – do it! Do it immediately. An awful picture, but with a lot of personal meaning, is still precious. It will live with you for life. It will endure far longer than the next moment, which you will never think of again, because you stopped for a moment to frame for the rule of thirds!