“Where are these rules written down?” The squinty eyed, glass wearing accountant asks the sage weathered, wise cowboy sitting astride his horse. He answers, “Damn it man, they aren’t written down, they’re lived!”
This quote from Monte Welsh strikes me every time I hear it. It makes me think back on the email questions that have arrived in my InBox of late, what I’ve seen on the web, and at times I scratch my head. I am amazed how often I put out something I use in my photography that I have found works for me and then I see it next put out as a rule and then the inevitable web debate begins.
While it is true there are some aspects of photography that appear to be craved in stone, no sooner you think this then you see someone, for good or bad, go and do the contrary and produce results. And while we need to have some of these “rules” they should be considered as a starting point, a fall back position when things go to hell in a hen basket. Rules can give comfort but they leave little room for passion.
While there are lots of photographers providing lots of insight into their photography, run these insights through your own photography, your own heart and apply only that which applies to your storytelling. Do your photography the favor and don’t make them rules. “Damn it man, they aren’t written down, they’re lived!”