We live in an era where online communities, especially those with an older audience on platforms like Facebook, tend to stifle creativity with unnecessary and limiting rules. It’s not uncommon to see sterile critiques based on outdated dogmas: “The rule of thirds must always be followed,” “This composition is incorrect,” “This type of light shouldn't be used this way.”
But let’s take a moment to reflect. Where does this lead? To images that, instead of reflecting the soul of the photographer, become a sterile, mechanical exercise. Photographs that could have been taken by anyone, lacking emotion and personality. But photography, like any form of art, should be a reflection of oneself—a tool to express a unique vision of the world, not a means to conform to imposed standards.
Break the Rules, Follow Yourself
Art was never meant to obey—it was meant to set you free. So, if you truly want to express yourself through photography, abandon the rules that imprison you and let your vision guide you. Here are a few key principles to keep in mind on your journey:
Obey no one but yourself.
Every rule, every critique should be seen as an opportunity for reflection, not as an absolute truth. No one knows your vision better than you do.
Set no limits, follow no rules.
Your creativity is an infinite space. Why confine it with arbitrary boundaries? Let your mind wander freely and experiment.
Ignore outdated and senseless dogmas.
Photography is constantly evolving. Rules that made sense yesterday might be completely obsolete today. Don’t let them trap you.
Create your own style and stand out.
Don’t imitate—get inspired, sure, but your goal should be to find a voice that is uniquely yours, a way to tell your story like no one else can.
When you take a photo, ask yourself:
“Am I telling my own story, or just following a manual?”
