Favorite to break: Rule of Thirds, I try it the first thing when croping an image and then test if something else works better. What I never consider (because it's bull sh*t) is "leading lines". What i mean is the claim that leading lines make your image more readable/ easier to understand. Always presented with some examples, where even most of the cherry picked examples do not really work. You can use leading line to "tell a story" within one image though.
I go to "your lens should have bigger aperture". I'm not so sure about this sir. But recently, I go to a sportfest event, I did a quite number of sharp photos using my M50 mark2 with EFS 55-250mm. Can you throw some light on this "rule-to-break" I made up?
using absurdly high apertures for wildlife photography, such as f22 and f 32. it started off as just messing around with odd apertures in different genres, but the kevel of detail while panning for bird photogaphy gives off a surreal feel to the composition.
I love clipping blacks in the background to help me get subject separation if the background isn't particularly interesting. It looks cleaner than artificially darkening a busy background to me. I'll lose sleep if I clip light tones But clipping dark tones, generally speaking, can be a very clean natural vignette that aids in composition.
As a ultra-beginner I was afraid of full automatic modes, but now still being a beginner I sometimes use them, because being in difficult light conditions and spotting uncommon bird isn’t good time for adjusting settings.
I love how one can watch older videos and see the sheer progression in vocal dynamics while explaining things, to the lighting in his “set” Truly my favourite channel
Simon, you are the shot in the arm that photography needs. No gear, no sensationalism, just real down to earth photography by a down to earth photographer. You sir, are a true standout in the community!!!
Simon you are the Bob Ross of photography, your passion for it comes through and its clear you want to pass the knowledge to us without using clickbait and controversy
As a nearly 100% manual shooter, I appreciated how you handled this topic. When I started using a camera over 60 years ago, there was no auto-iso. You loaded film in the camera and that dictated the iso for all the shots. Cameras did not yet have shutter or aperture priority modes. So full manual was the only way to conduct photography. Having learned to shoot this way from the outset, it is still my go-to mode. But there is certainly a place for the fully automatic or semi-automatic settings. They are just not my "thing". So I really appreciate your not taking the position (as come commentators do) that someone who shoots in manual mode is a fuddy duddy who rejects progress. Where were you, Simon, when I began my photography journey in the 1950's?
My photography instructor insisted on all manual, using full stops. For two years, that was the only way I shot. Then I read that autofocus was really effective (here, I believe), so I now shoot auto focus. Then I heard that Auto ISO was great (here, I know) The thing is, by shooting manual, I gained a much better understanding of aperture, shutter speed and ISO. Which was the instructor's goal
Ich habe habe fotografieren auch im komplett manuellen Modus, mit manuellem Fokus gelernt. Allerdings nur, weil das Objektiv von meinem Opa und sehr alt war. Da ich vor allem Vögel fotografiert habe, war das allerdings sehr frustrierend...
Exactly - full manual is rarely necessary (like for astrophotography and long exposure), but it can be great exerciser to instinctively visualize effect of different controls. I also tried shooting a film - I like aesthetics of film, but it's also such limiting - every miss is expensive and usually way more likely missed opportunity, there is no burst mode. But, it is also great exercise - it helps you learn to be patient and wise.
It’s like many things, doing it yourself will give you a better understanding of the mechanisms, but it doesn’t mean it’s necessary for great results or, even, the best strategy, as Simon so eloquently explained.
When I bought my first DSLR almost 20 years ago - first "real" camera I have owned, I shot in manual for a year. Not because I decided to, but because I was too dumb to know otherwise!😂 But it helped me a lot in understanding ISO, shutter speed and aperture and now if I need to switch to manual, I'm very comfortable doing so. But I didn't know about auto ISO until I saw a video from Simon the other day explaining it. Now I have new stuff to experiment with! 😊
Simon, your approach and teaching style is such a breath of fresh air. Thank you! I love the balance of the rule of thirds and I love breaking it for powerful emotional effect.
I decided that I HAD to shoot in manual and manual only. In one of your prior videos I decided to try auto ISO and it was a game changer. After that I realized that there was nothing wrong with shooting in aperture priority like I was before going full manual. Now, I shoot in auto ISO or aperture priority almost exclusively and the results I’m getting show for it. Also, thank you for all of the videos. I have had zero classes on photography, my teacher was my camera and the subjects. Your vids have made a huge impact.
I love how succinct and practical your teaching always is and how it makes me feel better about where I am, and where I want to go with my photography, while still appreciating others. I think I will call you the GUILT BUSTER!! Thanks, Simon!
Im a beginner, I often find that the rule of thirds really doesnt align to how I like to frame the photos. I end up some times taking 2 pictures, one following the guideines and the other how I like it. Guess which one I end up deleting at home ;) Thanks for all your wisdom, I found myself repeating your words and pieces of advice in my mind when Im taking photos. A true teacher
First big error is defining these as rules in the first place because you see, they're more like guidelines... As for the rule of thirds, that is only one aspect of visual language. Pay Kay has a great series going over the subject matter for those interested. (imho some of the best photos use multiple different visual language tools center, contrast, leading lines rule of thirds etc in the composition)
When I first started out my friend who's an avid photographer always told me to underexpose my images about 2/3 of a stop because cameras are better at raising shadows than lowering highlights in RAW, and that also lowered your ISO! After shooting several thousand photos that way and cleaning up the RAWS in post, I realized that it made no difference, and I actually got less noise when I let the camera use the ISO that it needed. While there is some truth that cameras are better at recovering shadows than highlights, it's never worth deliberately underexposing your image unless you're doing it for an artistic style.
Two of my favorite rules to break are “Real photographers don’t ‘spray and pray’” and “Real photographers shoot full frame.” Both nonsense. I don’t know why so many “real photographers” fail to understand burst photography and how it’s used. They seem to think that it’s only used when you don’t really have a composition or can’t focus properly. I couldn’t imagine shooting wildlife or sports without burst. And full frame, give me a break. Any camera, any lens can deliver any time. So many people are shooting with smart phones. While it may have been true in the beginning, I don’t hear howls of complaints about smartphone photographs anymore. And crop sensors like micro 4/3 and APS-C are being used in all sorts of professional photography. I’m pretty sure Ansel Adams would’ve preferred lugging around something that shot smaller than 8x10 inches. Great presentation as always, Simon!
I particularly liked the tip to place the horizon in the middle if upper/lower are equally interesting - I often find myself doing this, so pleased to hear this confirmation
I always enjoy seeing the non-wildlife images that you shoot when not chasing squirrels... or between squirrels. I love squirrels, but i admire and aspire to 'the photographic eye' that ranges widely and captures beauty or relevance wherever it lands. All the best and, politely, please 'keep 'em comin'. 👍👍👍
As someone that shoots mostly portraits, one rule I break often is "Don't put subjects or limbs near the edge of the frame when using a wider lens such as a 35mm, it will distort features and the person will look bad." There's absolutely some truth to it, but I hear or read about it so often and when I'm shooting with my 35mm I never really think about that. Sure, sometimes the nose or a hand will look unflattering and out of proportion, but i find that to be the exception rather than the rule. I like the look of a close up wide angle portrait. The distortion on the edges draws you in to the image and can also make things like arms or legs look pretty cool. To me it's important to know about distortion and pin point when it's an issue. But I think it's very exaggerated how much I hear about it compared to how little of an issue it is.
I have broken all of them, including the bonus tip. It is all about creativity and novelty. It is your camera and, therefore, you have to control it. Apart from doing photography for a certain reason or another, for me, the whole concept is to have fun! Keep up the good work.
I broke several of these rules with a photo of a couple of my friends squatting and talking with their backs to a building. Their position in the frame, which is set in landscape mode, is justified heavily to the left but not quite on the edge. To the right of them is darkly all short cut grass creating a vast negative space. It's night time, so the ambient lighting is all street lights from afar. I think it has a really nice atmosphere.
Simon, this was so refreshing and freeing. These principles are so often crammed into you during lessons, but you dispelled those myths and broke down a lot of barriers to creativity. Love your energy. Thank you for keeping it real!
One rule that I us is look back because sometimes the best shots are behind you. Another thing that I found is that as many times that I have been somewhere there is something different that I massed. You can be to the same place twice. Ben Thank you for another great teaching experence.
Thank you, I love breaking rules, sometimes you have to, sometimes it just it is the better option. With digital you often can try various things in any case at no extra cost (if the situation doesn't change too much). This is one of the reasons I prefer a zoom lens, I can quickly try zooming out to see if that gives a better result (if often does).
I was about 10 when I started taking pictures. No education or training. During college I made the poor choice of showing some of my favorite shots of the time to a guy who I thought wanted to be my friend. His only response was to condescending explain the rule of thirds to me, and how I need to learn the basics. I came across some of my photos from that time, from pre-college. My best compositions were in late high school before i let people cause me to doubt myself. Im in my 30s now and beginning to tap back into my instincts instead of letting uninformed, condescending, sexist men talk down to me about things they don't even understand. Thank you for your video. It was good timing for me, and validating of my early work that I recently rediscovered. I really appreciate your content.
These “rules” are not rules but guidelines. I remember obsessed with following the “rule of thirds” because I thought I had to. Now I compose based on how the composition pleases my eye.
I, a beginner, grabbed my camera again today after months of no photography, to fully follow my own interest and to break all the rules. I didn't take any pictures for so long because of all those rules. It created a knot in my stomach and made it hard for me to enjoy photography. I got scared to do something wrong and didn't enjoy it anymore. Today I finally got rid of that knot and started playing around with the settings, lighting and position and made some very cool pictures of many ink mushrooms with my lamp on different colors. I really enjoyed today and got inspired to play and 'fail' more without feeling stuck with rules. Watching this video was as relieving as playing around today. I hope many more people, especially the beginners, will watch this and figure it out on their own. I freaking love the TV-setting eventho I have no clue what it means. But I don't care cus the fun is more important to me. 😊
Talking about movement, sometimes an accidental exposure captured while the camera was swinging from my shoulder is my favorite shot of the day. I just tell people it was an abstract I did on purpose. I usually get some funny looks.
As a beginner, I figured to always shoot wide and later crop it in editing to get the composition I like. I cannot figure out any "good" compensition in the field. So I am breaking two rules there already without knowing 😅
I've been cropping a good 80% of my photo's lately. It's nice having a 3:2 sensor while shooting in 16:9. Sometime I just adjust photo's vertical (up/ down) without cropping and other times, like Simon say's, shoot with less zoom and crop in as needed during post. 45mp RAW files are nice to play with. 🙂
I love cropping my photographs. Hell, I remember when I was studying photography in college I was cropping a lot of my photographs in the dark room. Sometimes you have a particular aspect ratio in mind when composing your image that is different than your camera sensor. Good luck accomplishing that without cropping. There are countless other reasons for cropping, and I think this video will help lots of people to start challenging these "rules". Another "rule" that I think causes problems for some beginners is shooting in the lowest ISO possible. This one has been discussed many times on this channel (and many others). Just like the "rule" about sharp photographs, noise can also be added to your photographs for your artistic expression.
I am only a few years into my photography journey but I cannot express how much your content has helped me. Not sure if its your teaching style but it just always sticks with me whenever I am taking photos. I even like all the LR tips you show. Thanks for always bringing great content, you are appreciated.
I'm just getting into photography "full-send" (beyond just using my phone), and don't like the idea of editing anything unless i just absolutely have to (cropping not withstanding).
@@Just_Call_Me_Tim I'm just starting out too and I mostly use editing to fix images and make them a little bit better. I often crop them, change the white-balance, adjust the exposure or brighten some parts of the image when the dynamic range wasn't high enough. Sometimes little changes in contrast and saturation can make an image pop, or make a motive stand out more.
As usual, tutorials with essences and without waste. I'm a maniac breaking the rules and myths of the histogram. Exactly because of reasons you just expressed. Tyvm Simon!
I just want to say 'THANK YOU' for the time/energy you put into these videos, I can't think of any better way you could improve on teaching! Thanks to you I now shoot %80 in Manual mode although for me Aperture & Shutter speed is also a must in shooting Wildlife. My photos of today look %100 better than a year ago since I've put your techniques into play! My next step is spending time on learning how to properly edit a Raw file.
Great video. The most important rule NOT to break is: Don't be afraid of experimenting. Your art, your choice. Naturally, you will probably follow a lot of the guidelines but not all and not always. P.S. With regards to "sun behind you rule" I have recently seen pictures my uncle has taken some 25 years ago. The poor people always had to look in the direction of the sun 😂
Great video as always. I'm a super beginner, but the rules I break the most are the ones regarding manual mode and cropping. I'm too early in my journey to get the perfect composition on the field, so I always allow myself space to crop later. The same goes for settings: auto-ISO is a saver, I just adjust shutter speed and aperture to more or less get the creative effect that I want and let the camera do the rest. Besides, I'm quite happy with how the denoise function works in post processing (It's better to have a noisy picture than a blurry picture). I think breaking these rules makes starting photography much easier and enjoyable.
Ich denke, du bist auf einem guten Weg! Auto ISO ist vollkommen ok, und sowohl wichtig, als auch richtig! Du musst nur wissen, wann du die ISO selbst in die Hand nehmen musst.
I would suggest, based on what I've heard and seen here (and what little I've done so far), that if youre ever indoors and your test shot shows underexposed, to maybe manually set the ISO a stop higher than what the auto-set it to.
@@Just_Call_Me_Tim Yes, thats exactly what I meant. However, the problem usually occurs outdoors with the sky in the background. And sometimes you have to intentionally underexpose to get the details in the highlights. Of course, the problem shows up in all sorts of situations.
Fill the frame is one I got stuck in. But then decided to go out with my 70-200 and got better and more inviting images. There are no rules in art(or photography) except that you have to enjoy the experience of doing it, or enjoy the end product.
I bow to you once again, Simon, as a voice of reason in this wilderness of "good advice". My pet peeve: shoot in manual mode. You explain that one perfectly. I now shoot mainly in FV mode (flexible priority mode), a new mode available in Canon mirrorless which allows a quick flip between manual and automatic for any of the settings. That said, I do feel that having some guiding principles are very useful for beginners - if they take the time to learn them. Just like riding a bike - you need to know about peddling and braking before you can find other creative ways to ride.
I was recently on one of our national parks in the states shooting wildlife. There were a great number of photographers at one setting of a best in a meadow. Discussions amongst the photographers would eventually turn to what lens are you using. Of course, the f/4 600 mm lenses were the envy of all, but I found my f/5.6 lenses were capturing some amazing images, even at low light. $12-15,000 lenses are great lenses, but they are not necessary to capture beautiful images!
I really like this video. It's expresses the art of photography which it is. I don't find that I do a lot of post processing . Sometimes when I do I find I can make more than one photo our of one photo. I find that great fun. Thats what photography needs to be fun even if you are making a living from it. That's when you do your best work.
The histogram rule is absolutely one I tend to ignore in many settings. Lately, I've been shooting mountains and forests in the very early mornings. Capturing the darkness and shadows is important to conveying the tone of the scene.
Simon, your public speaking experience serves you well when explaining the pre-conceived "rules" of photography. Another well done! To your question on what other rules are questionable - One I thought of are those who claim certain lenses should be only used for certain images, like a wide angle lens for landscapes, an 85mm or 135mm for portraits, or primes are always better than zoom lenses, etc., etc. Cameras are somewhat like other technologies such as printers. The profit for printers is in the ink or in case of cameras, how many lenses one needs to buy because many "experts" says you must have special lens for this or that type of image.
Allo Simon, Was in Intelligent Auto setting (rule breaker?)this week focused on nearby sparrows when a bald eagle circled into the sky. Had to brace against the house as I was shaking so bad from this first sighting! As quickly it arrived, as quickly it was gone but managed happily to get a few shots. Merci! Your clear point form shared experiences help in learning this hobby.
The rule I love breaking most for sure if the rule of thirds. I tend to stick a bit to the guides. But preferably as much as possible just outside of them where it looks good. If it makes sense. As for shooting manual. I do that mostly in full to really be in control since I shoot a lot of low light. I want the aperture wide open where it allows and have the shutter speed fixed. ISO just fills the gap. My histograms are usually on the dark side since I shoot a lot of dark toned subjects and environments. Awesome video as always. :)
Simon, I appreciate how you first explain how each "rule" can be helpful when used, and then explain under what conditions breaking the rule can be beneficial. The rules are then transformed into suggestions and tools, and making decisions regarding when to adhere to them provides freedom and opportunities for creativity.
I mostly shoot in aperture priority mode these days. I find that modern cameras have gotten better at choosing the shutter speed and ISO for you, just set your max ISO to your preference and you’re set.
Brilliant so good to hear these 'rules' to break far too many times see people waffle on about you should do this or that blah blah, take what looks right and understad how to use your kit to it's best.
The Lomographic Society has 10 rules when lomographing, and they are very much into experimenting, improvising, but the 10th rule is actually Don’t worry about any rules. When taking photos like I often do, I have no time, patience to make a good composition, I just shoot because the golden opportunity is gone in 5 red seconds. And much according to the Lomographic thinking, what ended up on the film or SD-card was exactly what was intended to be captured.
I taught myself to photograph and after a long time with many wonderful photos I then looked at the rules of photography and have to say that these are often really old fashioned. Photography is art and art is what you think it is.😊
Thank you for getting me out of the "Rule of Thirds Jail". I was told when I started out, that to correctly position your subject, the lines of the Rule of Thirds need to be intersecting through the subjects eye. Well as you can imagine this can become quite challenging if your have a bird with a long tail, for example. Thank You for all your tips, you inspire me.
I'm very very new to photography but I really like taking pictures with my phone and i am currently saving for a camera. Your videos are amazing and I have learned a lot! you make it so easy to understand and so interesting. Thank you so much for your work here for all those of us new to the craft and I hope one day I can give something in return to you for your great efforts here!
I think your comment that rules help initially makes a great deal of sense. Ultimately it comes down to our idea of what we want. If following some "rules" helps us achieve our goals that is great, if ignoring rules helps then ignore them. There is only one Rule that is sacrosanct never to be broken and that rule is to have fun. For me understanding the "rules" is important because then I can make the informed choices as to why I am going to follow or ignore rules in order to get photos that I love. I am into photography because it gets me out into nature. I do it for pleasure. I try not to ruin that pleasure by worrying about rules. I don't always succeed in achieving my goals but hey, I learn, I defer my dotage and enjoy being out and about. When I do succeed the sense of achievement keeps me going. As always I look forward to your videos and enjoy them thoroughly.
Wow! If there is any one video on photography that beginners and old salts (that might be me!) should watch and take to heart - this is it. Most of this “rule breaking” I have learned the hard way (over a few decades); and while “rules” are a good starting point, setting them in stone is a prohibitive posture at best. Excellent video and information Simon - be assured I’m passing this one on to all my camera toting buddies!!
I’ve been taking amateur photographs for years, but I’m quite new in the professional world so I tend to still follow most of the « rules » for now in order to first master them. Then I’ll know when it’s nice to break them :). But even now sometimes I break some if I really feel it’s the right thing (even more for very creative photos).
What a great tutorial. It is only the last couple of years that I have started breaking most of those rules. Primarily due to the fact I was missing way to many shots fiddling with my camera. Really appreciate your channel. Please keep up the great work. Cheers.
Great points Simon, I use and break all the rules but as you have said it depends on the end product. On the Histogram tip, I tend to be more on the dark side (left of center). Maybe because of my age, it seems to be easier on them.
The problem I tend to see all over, especially on Facebook, are beginners who think they can break all the rules without even really knowing what they all are, and if you dare comment on it, get told that it's "their style" or "don't say anything mean"And they refuse to take any criticism whatsoever
I started photography this year focusing mainly on real estate. And while I’m not into wildlife photography (at least not yet as of now), your channel has thought me so much. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us all! 🙏🏼
New subscriber here, I've learnt a lot from your no-nonsense down to earth style. As a photographer of transport on busy roads those 'rules' just don't work for me. There simply isn't time to adjust everything manually when a subject appears so shutter priority with auto ISO and exposure compensation followed by cropping/rotating as necessary is a much better option.
As you imply, different styles of photography have different rules, er, guidelines. In Portrait photography, I'm much more concerned about shooting so that I don't need to crop. But, (as you say) in wildlife, things are moving too much (especially birds) to do all the composition you want, while still getting the shot. So, I crop like crazy in my wildlife photos.
My rule to break is the NEW GEAR SYNDROME, Unless there is a major change in a system the newest gear will not give you any better results you are better off spending that $$ on GLASS for your existing camera..
Thank you for confirming some of the things I am doing are not wrong as many would say they are and to be comfortable with your images after all they are mine.
As an amateur who enjoys many genres of photography, I only follow one self imposed rule. Just go out, relax, and simply shoot what grabs my attention. Some days I get a few keepers. Some days I don't. Either way I had a nice walk either in the city or in nature.
When I started out, like after a year after getting a DSLR, I thought I needed to switch over to full manual mode in the day, like I did my nightscapes so I could work toward advancing my skills lol. Well, all I was doing was needlessly increasing my shutter count on my camera and decreasing the life of my mechanical shutter, to dial in the right exposure for many of the photos. I wised up finally of over a year of that, switched over the aperture priority mode and learned to use the -/+ button for those once in a while times where the camera got shutter wrong for the exposure. I'll change over to full manual of course, but for a specific purpose. Since then, my skills have ACTUALLY been improving.
Really great summary of the 'rules.' For me I like to break the rule of needing to fill the frame. You make a great point where this rule/guideline should serve a purpose and not the goal of photography. Such a subtle yet important difference! Thanks for sharing!
Rule of Thirds encourages you to move your subject off-center. This frequently makes for a more dynamic composition. Centering works best when the subject is looking directly at you.
Thank you Simon! Another great and to the point tutorial! As a beginner photographer, I have been following your tips and tutorials and turning out photos I am quite happy with!
Would love if you wrote a beautifully illustrsted book with all of these photo tips, processing and camera and equipment settings and tips. You are a wonderful teacher! Please consider this, it would be great
@stefiq_aka_sztefyn9267 A book is so much more than that. He is such a good teacher and I'm sure would be a wonderful author as well. As he says, I know he can do it! 😊
I tend to ignore the rule of thirds and compose what I think looks best as I view the scene. Also, I will use the camera mode I think will give me the right balance of control between me and the camera, mostly I shoot auto ISO in manual mode (my preference). I never use the histogram when composing in the field, I normally bracket my shots and will use exposure compensation if I think it's needed.
What always strikes me is the assumption that you need powerful gear to make good photos. While more modern cameras might give you more resolution or take the hassle of dealing with autofocus away, any bog standard 100$ craigslist DSLR will do the job of getting you good photos and more importantly, getting you into photography.
Great video as usual Simon! Thank you for the concise yet exhaustive content, plus super editing! Indeed I tend to use braketing in bright light environments. I then have my camera set by default for a series of,3 shots (with a 0EV, -1EV, +1EV sequence), and fast cadence multiple shooting. Then, depending on the photo, I either shoot one frame, or three. If I shoot just one I have to turn the camera (Z6ii) off and on to reset the bracketing count. Perhaps a bit cumbersome and short of an easier solution 🙂 I will view your video on histograms, as a useful refresher too...
I learned to shoot photos and how to use iso, aperture, focus, noise etc by myself and I took some impressive photos by Canon T7/1500D with kit lenses in my opinion. I want to buy more lenses but I want to practice a bit more with this then I'll buy a new camera and lenses. I have and am learning much more regarding photography by watching your videos. Your quality and suggestions are pretty good.
It's crazy to me that I ever see the "no cropping" touted as a rule. Some of the most famous photos (Ansel Adams, Arnold Newman, etc) are crops of much larger originals. Sometimes a moment is just happening too quickly to be able to frame everything perfectly at the time of capture. Finding the composition later (or changing your mind later) is just an artistic tool. Those who tell someone not to crop for arbitrary reasons is just a gatekeeper trying to force others into their mindset.
