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Break the Photography Rules? But didn't you say...

Ignoring Certain Guidelines and Basic Rules Can Make For Better Photography

Break the photography rules - I don't want to be held liable for any of you jumping in front of buses or smashing anything up just to get a good picture. All I am saying is that every now and then forget everything that you have just read.

Forget not shooting into the sun, forget the rule of thirds or nice straight lines!

If we didn't break the photography rules now and again, how would you get those beautiful sunset shots? And have you noticed a trend in "wonky" off balance shots? Sometimes by placing the subject dead centre you can portray a feeling of isolation and space. By going against the grain, you can create and improve your very own style.

I have taken many photos without even looking through the viewfinder, a bit "hit and miss" but sometimes necessary to see over crowds and such, knowing a few minutes in Photoshop will straighten things out. Of course, if using film this can be a bit wasteful!

Well, I hope this section has been of some help to any Newbie Digital SLR photographers out there. I would be grateful if you would quickly take a second to let me know if this was any use to you by filling in the small form below. Thanks, good luck and all the best with your photography!

Thanks very much to everyone who has sent in kind and informative comments so far, and also to those that have made some great suggestions. I have included some of the more recent ones below as testimonial so please leave some comments below if you found this section useful! Thanks...

Advanced Photorgaphy Tips - The Next Phase

We have now released a more extensive section on more advanced aspects of photography which you may find useful. Grab yourself a drink and go find a large comfy chair (assuming you are reading this from a laptop or iPad) and get stuck in.

It includes many example photos for subjects such as white balance, exposure, metering, bracketing, modes, lenses, focussing plus a lot more, including how to shoot all subjects from sports to weddings and the more technical side of cameras and photography.

Just go to Advanced Photography Tips to start at the beginning

Please keep the comments and suggestions coming in as it is useful to know what to add to the site and also great to hear from people all over the world. Thanks again!

Even More Advanced Photography Tips! The Final Chapter

Once you have read all of the more advanced section, we have spent a year putting together some of the most in depth photography tutorials by putting all of our offline courses online and a whole lot more besides. This includes more than 16 hours of useful and informative video tutorials on all aspects of photography. This takes you to the next level and beyond...

NEW: If you cannot make it to one of our courses or simply want to learn more, this may well interest you! We have now released a brand new membership section to ATP and have put the entire course online which includes all you need to know about using a DSLR including a total of 16 hours of video tutorials, an absolute beginners section, DSLR training, wedding photography, stock photography and MUCH more. Click Here for More Info

Wouldn't change anything - it was excellent! Lucy - United Kingdom

Keep up very good and useful for beginners Thank u very much. Taher - Saudi Arabia

I wouldn't change anything. This sight was very helpful and put me at ease about using a digital slr. I am more confident and feel like running out and buying a new camera, lenses, filters etc...but I don't think my husband would like that. (HA HA). Tracey - United States

Thanks for the tips! They were easy to understand even "without opening the hood". I just purchased the 20D and I try to focus better. Erno - Netherlands

I wouldn't change a thing. As a newbie, I learned more from this information than from an e-book I recently purchased that turned out to be more money than it was worth. Thanks for the great advice! Blanka - Canada

After a quick review of some of your tips, I posted a previous message expressing my satisfaction with the great advice. Several hours later, having done a rather thorough tour of the site, I felt the need to send another message.

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I will try not to bore you but I thought you might like to know why I find your site one of the best out there. I recently expressed an off-the-cuff remark to my husband that I would like to take up photography and being the wonderful man that he is, he promptly set out to support my interest.

I am now the proud owner of a Canon EOS 20D. However, being the novice that I am, it's a lot of camera for someone so new to photography. I have purchased several how-to books, read many articles and downloaded an e-book (the latter being a huge disappointment - money I could have spent on a new filter). Then I found your site. I cannot tell you how much I have learned in the few hours spent at all-things-photography.

It's clear, well-organized and provides loads of photographic examples to bring points home. Most importantly, I don't need a photographic translator to understand the material. If you DO decide to put out a Newsletter in future, please sign me up: blanca@interlog.com. Once again, THANK YOU! Blanka - Canada

Nothing...I found it very very good and informative. My camera is on it's way. Pentax *Ist DS. Thanks. Mark - Australia

Nothing, this is such a fabulous help, I cannot express enough how helpful these tips are! Louise - United Kingdom

Nothing, but I wish it would go further past beginner to intermediate etc...This was very helpful for me and my new 350d. Alana - New Zealand

I just wanted to thank you for your very interesting articles. You have a good sense of humor, which makes the reading downright pleasureable. You definitely deserve a pat on the back for the great web site you have put together. Again, thanks much from an old retired police photographer that is somewhat new to the digital forum. Wayne - USA