Dead Center is Deadly says photographer Rick Sammon, referring to obeying the rules of composition. He strongly (obviously) suggests you don’t put objects in the center of the frame because it’s boring, and because there are so many other ways to do it.
Its might seem simple enough to find a young sunflower in her prime and take a photo, but even though the light is fading fast you should consider these rules of composition: the rule of thirds, the golden ratio, the rule of odds, negative space, filling the frame, balance, leading lines and symmetry.
Maybe take one shot using each rule, then mix and match until it either gets too bright, too dark, it rains or you get kicked out of wherever you are. Then take the RAW files home and edit them according to the rules of editing: white balance, exposure, noise reduction, etc, etc, etc.
I’ve heard rumors in back alleys and pool halls that there are people who take photos with their compact camera or phone and upload them as shot, but I’m sure they’re just rumors. Of course this is not fight club and breaking the rules will not result in a beating. Unless Rick Sammon sees your photos, then you’re in trouble.
Lovely photo! Cheerful 🙂 … And now I know why I can never be a photographer. I don’t know the rules. But, ahem, I’m sure I wouldn’t be a person to randomly take a photo with a… phone maybe… and just kind of upload it… someplace.
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Rules are made to be broken.
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This is proof 🌻
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Actually its a bit off center, as hard as I tried the camera refused to get it exactly in the middle 🙂
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Ah… I see. The petals aren’t all the same size. I think it would have been tricky.
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I tried hard to get it centered and even took closer one but this one came out the best.
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It’s beautiful. 😊 … I bet they all are.
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Thanks, before we know it fall will be here and they will all be gone.
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So true… But I rather love fall.
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Would it be okay for me to put some of your images on Pinterest? The link is here but I should ask. 🙂
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Sure!
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😊
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Gorgeous snap, despite the rule 🙂
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Thanks Hammad. I was using a tripod and my kit lens at 50mm.
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Oh so very beautiful. The center you have captured is stunning 😀
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Thanks Cee, I could have cropped but it filled the frame nicely.
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lol love your shot and obviously I have a strong connection to sun flowers but it’s your sense of humour that resonates deeply Mike!
Go break those damned ridiculous rules 🙂
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Thanks Kate. Taking pictures is the hard part for me, writing about it is easy. 😉
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you certainly have a way with words … I try to join the both 🙂
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The thing is Kate, not every picture tells a story so I sort of fill in the blanks. 🙂
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