20 Comments

• ghost:

  Most of these photos actually DO observe the rule of thirds quite well.

  May 7, 2010 at 4:35 pmReply

• johnny:

  Yes, I’ve noticed that too.

  May 8, 2010 at 4:09 amReply

• Wolf Cocklin:

  I’d have to agree with ghost …

  most of those shots all balance on the thirds rule

  May 9, 2010 at 10:07 pmReply

• MikePanic:

  While you may be right about the rule of thirds, there are other unusual composition in the photos that is a tad unusual, like shooting from way below or high above.

  May 10, 2010 at 7:38 amReply

  • Mark:

    Most composition tutorials (or photographers for that matter) will tell you to shoot from unusual perspectives in order to make a photograph interesting. That has nothing to do with breaking rules at all.

    I would enjoy seeing your comments for each individual photograph. I was expecting to learn from this, but became confused as I could clearly see the rules of composition in place.

    January 20, 2013 at 7:40 amReply

• Mike Wilson:

  I’m sorry to have to say this, but you’re going to have to explain to me how 90% of these “Break All The Composition Rules”. There are about 3 that break the “Rules of Composition” in my opinion, but by and large these are good examples of EFFECTIVE use of the rules of composition like the Rule of 3rds, Lines, Pattern, etc. Many of these seem to just be interesting angles and juxtapositions, but almost NONE of them “Break The Rules”.

  May 10, 2010 at 11:05 amReply

• SirCake:

  Please tell us what rules are being broken. Just showing the pictures, as good as they are, really tells us nothing. If you are trying to teach us something, you’ll need to provide some actual information.

  Thanks

  May 12, 2010 at 7:09 amReply

• Catie:

  I am honored to be included on this list. As a subject, not the photographer! thanks!

  May 12, 2010 at 9:24 pmReply

• Ivy:

  I agree with Mike Wilson and SirCake. It would be great if you could explain what rules are being broken. And, I think these “rules” are only guidelines and don’t have to be followed. I found that most of the pics are awesome!

  March 8, 2012 at 4:31 pmReply

• Color Outside the Lines | Entropy Photo:

  [...] Light-stalking is running an article demonstrating 27 good photographs that don’t necessarily follow the rules [...]

  May 28, 2012 at 7:33 amReply

• michael roberts:

  Article should have been titled, “How to Creatively bend the Rule of Thirds.” That is what most of these images did. They didn’t, for the most part, “break” any rules–at least the rules I’ve been taught. They do rock. Some really good ideas.

  June 18, 2012 at 12:01 pmReply

• Marian Majik:

  Pretty good pictures, as all nice around us, they don’t care about rules – that’s a beauty of the photography.

  September 23, 2012 at 9:05 amReply

Leave a Comment