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there are always rules that govern us, and some of these rules are great (you know, like don't murder and steal) and some of these rules are silly (like not swimming right after eating).
as a photographer, and especially as a wedding photographer, i think , to some degree, i am expected to follow some rules.
when i took a photography course at the local college, we were given the task of photographing a model one evening. the model was set up in a chair, with her hands on a desk, and 25 photography students all stood or crouched right in front of her and fired away.
i didn't want to be doing what everyone else was doing (i'm the rebellious type), so i put my camera down, pulled a chair over to a spot not far from the model, and stood up on the chair.
i started taking photos from above, asking the model to look at me once in a while.
the instructor told me that what i was doing was wrong and not a flattering pose to any person.
i thought to myself, who made up that rule anyways?
why can't a photo from above be flattering?
why do we all have to be the same anyways?
i'm sure that the teacher was right, that it might not have made for a flattering pose, because he's probably done the same silly thing as i was trying, and figured it out the hard way. i appreciate when people try to share their wisdom with me, but......
this was a question that i pondered for quite a while, because i was actually doubting if i was right in questioning "the rules".
now, i would never kill someone or steal anything, but couldn't i break some photography rules once in a while?
i was just getting started on my journey as a photographer, and instead of wanting to learn the rules, all that kept my mind busy was finding ways to BREAK the rules and get the photos i wanted.
i think we can become so bound by what everyone else thinks is the right way to do something, that we sometimes forget to have some fun and try new things out.
i will admit, i am kind of a rebel.
seriously.
i am the woman that refuses to allow my hubby to open a jar for me, just out of principle!
once i began my journey as a wedding photographer, i had a goal in mind.
my goal was to be different, to find my voice, and i figured that the perfect clients would find their way to me.
i have been humbled by the wonderful couples that have chosen me to document their weddings, and i am enjoying getting to know every one of them!!!
today, i came across a list of "RULES" that were written by David Beckstead.
i appreciate David's work, because he looks outside the box, seems to always be having a great time, and is widely recognized by his peers in the photography world.
if you're a photographer , and you're reading this blog, then you might want to keep reading! i think we can not only get great photos by following some ground rules and the examples set by the countless AWESOME photographers in this world, but we also need to lighten up sometimes and just have fun. you never know what might happen.
here are the rules according to David~ (as found on www.prophotoresource.com)
David's rules to live by:
1. Break all photographic rules.don't leave any of them unbroken, at least once!
2. Take the safe shot.then break the rules with a passion!
3. From this point on the phrase "Breaking Rules" will be described as "Play".
4. You don't have to "Learn" the rules first before you are allowed to play!
5. When you play, it is for you..not the client. The client will benefit from your playtime!
6. Make sure that when you plan to play, that it will add some sort of twist to the image or composition. All blurry shots should be planned. Channel your playtime to maximize the chance of a great shot.
7. Learning to "Feel the dials and buttons" of your camera and "Hear you shutter" will help you play when you only have a few seconds.
8. Learn to play with the negative-spaces of a composition and bring them alive and useful to you.
9. Subject in the center is not always wrong. I love to break this rule!
10. Blowing out the highlights is not always wrong: especially when you are shooting backlit subjects.
11. Flare is great! Play with flare!
12. There is no "bad" light! This will be your mantra as you leave your house for the shoot. "There is no bad light! I will play today!"
13. Not looking through the camera when you shoot is a great way to learn the fine art of playing. If you are a wedding photographer: shoot at least 100 images a wedding without looking through the viewfinder.
14. Never tell a client that it was a mistake but the image turned out cool! Take credit for all great unplanned mistakes. Yet, try to duplicate the mistake later and add it to your stylistic repertoire. Never tell a client how many "play" images you took to get the killer shot. Show the client a few killer play shots as the shoot progresses. They will see that you are having fun and getting cool stuff and that will make them happy! Really!!
15. Make sure your future clients know you are a "Player". Show playful shots on your site and in your show albums.
16. The best time to play is when you are board, tired, apathetic, angry, hungry, hot, cold, have a headache, or when your mind tells you to hang and not play.
17. Play and your clients will love you for it!
1. Break all photographic rules.don't leave any of them unbroken, at least once!
2. Take the safe shot.then break the rules with a passion!
3. From this point on the phrase "Breaking Rules" will be described as "Play".
4. You don't have to "Learn" the rules first before you are allowed to play!
5. When you play, it is for you..not the client. The client will benefit from your playtime!
6. Make sure that when you plan to play, that it will add some sort of twist to the image or composition. All blurry shots should be planned. Channel your playtime to maximize the chance of a great shot.
7. Learning to "Feel the dials and buttons" of your camera and "Hear you shutter" will help you play when you only have a few seconds.
8. Learn to play with the negative-spaces of a composition and bring them alive and useful to you.
9. Subject in the center is not always wrong. I love to break this rule!
10. Blowing out the highlights is not always wrong: especially when you are shooting backlit subjects.
11. Flare is great! Play with flare!
12. There is no "bad" light! This will be your mantra as you leave your house for the shoot. "There is no bad light! I will play today!"
13. Not looking through the camera when you shoot is a great way to learn the fine art of playing. If you are a wedding photographer: shoot at least 100 images a wedding without looking through the viewfinder.
14. Never tell a client that it was a mistake but the image turned out cool! Take credit for all great unplanned mistakes. Yet, try to duplicate the mistake later and add it to your stylistic repertoire. Never tell a client how many "play" images you took to get the killer shot. Show the client a few killer play shots as the shoot progresses. They will see that you are having fun and getting cool stuff and that will make them happy! Really!!
15. Make sure your future clients know you are a "Player". Show playful shots on your site and in your show albums.
16. The best time to play is when you are board, tired, apathetic, angry, hungry, hot, cold, have a headache, or when your mind tells you to hang and not play.
17. Play and your clients will love you for it!
these are great rules, and i think that this coming year is going to be fun!!!
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