Simplicity and Rule breaking .. by .. Bruce Giffin @ fredmiranda.com


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rule #6 .. Other peoples’ opinions of your work are not valid. Yes, a comment about a technical item may be appropriate, but YOUR composition isn’t negotiable! They are only telling you how THEY would have taken the photo if they were there, which they weren’t. Trust your own heart…Remember-Picasso would probably have flunked art class!

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Anymore .. the only photos I actually critique are the ones that generate a "comment request" .. and I've convinced myself that I'm doing it to HELP them .. that the author of the image needs help or their work would have received more attention on its own ... then, I might check back a day or two later and find that everybody else has said .. "Cool Image"

And, then, I step out to my car and trigger the radio beacon that signals the massive armada waiting just outside of NASA's detection range .. to come in and annihilate the planet

My work here is done

(*speaks into wristband*) .. @@#^^%$((*&^ ... (*begins to transflux*)


discuss ..

Well... personally I don't see how you're ever going to learn anything if you're not willing to listen to advice (especially if you start comparing yourself to Picasso). I guess it's fine to say that other peoples opinions are invalid, as long as you don't care that everyone thinks your images look like crap...

*said with toungue in cheek* You can see the lump if you look closely.

Forget the “Rule of Thirds”! ... While I'm not suggesting that ANY rule be adhered to without fail .. I find that, for example, a flower that is centered sticks in my craw more often than not because it is centered .. and not because it is a flower

The TV Dinner Rule ®
think, if you will, of a TV dinner box art .. you've got your meat divided from your peas which are, in turn, divided from your mashed potatoes .. this is, obviously, the golden rule of photography .. it makes you hungry, it sells the package, even if you don't like peas

So .. ignore the "rule of thirds" if you wish .. ignore the TV dinner Rule ® at your perile

;o)

I hate the rule of thirds - I know it works in practise but it just seams far too rigid a regime enforced by the fashion police. I have seen plenty of works that don’t adhere to it that look just fine. I try to avoid it as regularly as possible.

You had said that, if given Supreme Power, the first thing you would do is abolish the rule of thirds

I would have made Milk Shakes Free ..

That could lead to a huge natural disaster though as everyone tried to suck their free extra thick shakes at the same time and windows all over the city imploded with the sudden drop in air pressure.

all the broken glass falling would cut off people's toes .. and we'd have a new measure by which to judge people

it would be said that we're Lack-Toes Intolerant

*closes eyes and tries to pretend I didn't see that last line*

The rules are for when you're first learning - after that it's all about judging when to break them.

Is there a Rule of Fifths? Maybe we should lean to that?

ps: I like the no toes thing

Just change the name to "Guideline of thirds". Then no one would have a problem any more.

There are many aspects to a great image, if it is not the composition by "rule of thirds" it usually follows another rule. Mix it up! They do work:-)

My understanding since I have been a member here is that we are expected to critique an image if we see something. Yes, I understand art is interpretive to the individual :=) , but I am a bit confused since we now have 'how to give a good review' under "Other Stuff". see below........

"you are expected to give a balanced reaction to the work. This reaction should be mature, polite, and backed up by details, proof, or examples. The purpose of the review should be to help the author advance in skill by offering your own knowledge and/or talent."

So, I do break the rule of thirds sometimes but I am far from any expert photographer. Me & my camera don't even sleep together yet.:)) I hunger for knowledge from the more experienced and excellent artists who don't make mistakes and don't center flowers like I always do...maybe someday I will quit doing that and annoying people :).........plus, I do think others points of view about my work are valid. Obviously, I must like the work I do or I wouldn't post it, but I am not a bit objective about my work and wait to hear what will make it better. If everyone told me from the get-go how awesome my photography was, I would still be stuck on stupid. I want to grow and learn and be better. When I ask for critique it is so very sincere and comes straight from my heart. Please don't cheat me by saying "good job" when it is a lousy photo!
Is that article written for the much more advanced artist, like Cat stated above? The rules are for the beginners? Help me out here purty please :~)

Mostly, I think a photographer should give the image some "thought" .. if the picture "taker" gives the photo some thought to composition, light, color, mood, etc .. they become, in my book, an image "maker". So MANY people just raise the camera to their eye and push the button. When I critique a photo I try to get the person to realize this and, maybe, break free of it ... or learn to SEE, instead of just LOOK

In my humble opinion .. if you don't put some of yourself into the shot (by the above thought process) it belongs to the camera more than the photographer

but .. I no longer consider myself a photographer .. and, so, maybe I have no business commenting in any way, shape or form .. the "cool image" folks are leading me to believe this

it's 4:30 AM .. not my fault if this makes no sense

Nice comment! 10/10!!!

D10F

More tips and hints for begginers through professionals;-)

Yea Keifer. A photo has to be imagined by the taker to be good. Point and shoot usually do not get good photos. They are the ones who bore friends and relatives.