How To: Change the Rules of Photography in 5 Steps

We show you five traditional rules of photography and composition, and then what happens when you break them. It is said, “to first break the rules, you have to understand them,” so photographer Makeda Sandford shows us how it’s done, and then shows us the magic that can happen when you throw out the rule book.

Rules that we delve into, and inevitably do away with, include:

1. Break the rule of thirds

Usually, the subject should be placed in the top two points on a 3x3 grid, and there should be enough space above their head. Try placing your subject elsewhere in your frame.

2. Crop your subject

When photographing someone, normally you should avoid 'cutting off' their limbs. This is an interesting convention to break.

3. Experiment with 'unnatural' colours

Most of the time, exposure and colour should appear as they do in real life. Can you try changing your white balance?

4. Throw your subject out of focus

A good way to create separation between your subject and background is to use a shallow depth of field, and focus on your subject, to create an out-of-focus background. How about mixing things up there?

5. Try unconventional angles

Most portrait photographers avoid certain angles, like angling the camera up towards a subject’s nose. But getting creative with your angles is a good way to shake up the rules.

Breaking photographic conventions can add a certain edge to your imagery, allowing us to convey more mysterious emotions, and invoke playfulness in an otherwise typical shot.

For more tips and techniques, expert interviews and camera gear guides, check out the MPB content hub.