Breaking the Rules

1/31/2012

I am taking a wonderful photography class from Kat of Kate Eye Studio. The first assignment was to think about the rules of photography that we are using that may be holding us back from either capturing a really great picture or enjoying the process of taking pictures. I am a rule follower. I always have followed the rules and I have always wished that I didn't feel it so necessary to do things the right way all of the time. When I began to paint and to take pictures I decided that I was going to enjoy the process and not worry about the rules. I wish I could tell you that I always did exactly that but that would not be true. But for the most part, I don't worry about whether my picture is perfect or follows the rule of thirds or if I leave off the top of the tree. I want my pictures to please me and hopefully others. Normally, I take pictures of nature. I love the bright colors of flowers, the green of the leaves against the blue sky, and I always love to take a picture of any body of water. So yesterday I decided to take a picture of something different. I live outside of Atlanta with all of its beautiful old southern homes and lots of Civil War history. Yesterday, as I was looking for something to take a picture of I stood back and looked at the town square. I didn't look for flowers but instead concentrated on the statue facing the water fountain surrounded by trees. It was different from most of the pictures I take, so I snapped away. Because of Kat's prompt, I realized that while it is true that I am not limiting myself from taking interesting pictures because of rules I am still limiting myself by just taking a small select type of pictures. There is a great big world out there just ready to be photographed. And I need to be the one to do it!

11 Comments

Deborah link

1/31/2012 09:46:45 am

Ginny,
Glad to see you are enjoying Kat's class! This photo is lovely. My eye is drawn to the statue and then the clock tower. Good for you for getting out there and photographing something different! I totally understand how important and challenging that is.

Serena link

1/31/2012 11:37:04 am

Great post and photo, Ginny! I think we learn wondrous new things when we break the rules.

Gina link

1/31/2012 01:21:16 pm

Your photo is terrific, Ginny! The POV and composition make for a very interesting image. I'm glad to hear that you are ready to stretch your wings and try new things. I have the same issue with rules -- I think it is partly due to being a teacher and always trying to get the kids to learn the rules.

angenita link

1/31/2012 03:57:21 pm

Great picture. First you see the statue, then the fountain and then the clock. It feels like I'm watching the things the statue is looking at.

Good luck by breaking the rules. It's fun to just play! (never thought I would encourage someone to be a bad person LOL)

Sandra link

1/31/2012 05:59:37 pm

An unusual capture which I enjoy looking at. I was drawn to the clock first and then back to the fountain and finally to the statue. I like the way the branches of the trees frame the picture. That statue looks as if rules are important to him too, but maybe he changes his stance at night when nobody is looking!

It must feel great for you to move away from the rules. I still have to learn them to see where I am... I think I may have internal rules, but I'm jumping out of them too!

I like our next assignment, don't you? A trip to an art museum is in order!

Debbie

1/31/2012 07:10:37 pm

I think it's interesting that you chose to take a picture of the back of the statue. I actually do that alot, I take pictures of people from behind :) It's probably breaking some rule but sometimes it can tell a more interesting story. I like the way the tree branches in this photo all lead your eye towards the center, good composition :)

KathyL link

1/31/2012 09:28:40 pm

I really like your composition and how we look through the trees. It sounds like you had an aha! moment with this prompt. Now the whole world is open to you! I can't wait to see more :)

Kat Sloma link

1/31/2012 11:45:28 pm

What a great realization Ginny! Rules come in all sorts of forms, don't they? Not just the obvious kinds like "rule of thirds." We often limit ourselves unintentionally. This is a great example of getting out of your comfort zone - I love how the statue is looking into the picture. I want to know what he's looking at! Thanks so much for sharing your experience.

Chelle link

2/1/2012 05:58:34 pm

hi Ginny, I love your picture & really love what you discovered in this lesson, yes, it is true, I also limit myself in this way at times, I need to break fromit a bit more often. Thanks for sharing :)

Sara link

2/3/2012 04:30:05 am

This is a great picture because I can see a story in it. It's my kind of picture:~) My imagination takes me to this statue, the fountain, and the clock on the building. He was a man running to drink from time's fountain of youth, but was too late. So, he turned into a statue, his hand lifted to the clock, his face (if I could see it) puzzled by the question he'd never get to ask: Was building's clock running too fast or his watch too slow?

I love that you're doing things "outside the lines!"

Anna link

2/3/2012 12:27:19 pm

Hi Ginny,
Fun to hear how this class is affecting your thoughts on seeing the world. I like the unique orientation and angle that you've shot this piece from. I especially find the fact that the statue is facing into the scene to be different and eye catching.

Breaking the Rules

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