18 Take risks and break the rules

Learn the rules, then break them with intention

The rules of composition are a guide rather than a law that you must always adhere to. But before you begin experimenting with weird and wonderful compositions that go against these rules, make sure that you understand how and why they’re so effective in most situations. Once you’re confident with the rules, you can then break them meaningfully, and indeed creatively, rather than just accidentally. The same goes for camera settings such as shutter speed and aperture; certain types of landscape images typically use specific settings, like a narrow aperture for a broad depth of field, but that doesn’t mean you have to slavishly follow them – once you understand why they’re used.

EXPERT ADVICE

To broaden your creativity, experiment with techniques and approaches that you haven’t used before. Capture a variety of shots when you’re at a location; changing a composition only takes a few seconds.

Shoot multiple techniques with the same composition to give yourself options.

A centrally composed subject and a centrally positioned horizon work perfectly for this silhouetted scene, shot at the end of a dull and overcast day.