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Why do photographers use the rules of composition?

Three conditions make that happen:

First, there's gotta be a need to get the picture "right" based on predetermined criteria.  

Second, photographers willingly set aside their creativity to create a "paint by numbers" photograph.

Third, we lull ourselves into a state of unjustified blind faith, in which we're eager to believe that applying homogenous rules of composition creates "good" photographs.

When all three conditions are present in a photographer, their work suffers.

Their work suffers because they depend on uncreative, stifling rules that limit creativity by creating a homogenized approach to photograph-making.

Our creativity is limitless, so why limit it with rules, especially rules of composition?

Photographers who aren't sure of what they're doing in terms of camera operation, composition, and light are too quick to accept that ridiculous rules of photography are the way to create engaging pictures that are "good" or "right."

Instead of quickly learning the relationships between camera operation, composition, and light and becoming skeptical of the rules of photography, we get caught up in creating mundane, homogenous work because we unquestioningly believe that applying the rules of photography, like the "rule of thirds," is a better way to make pictures than having a mind that understands photography and applies a fluid, unbound, intentional and subject-specific, "what if" approach to composition.

On the opposite side of the open-ended curious "what if" approach is the rule-based limited "do this" approach.

If we understand what we're doing, a "what if" curious approach to photographic composition will allow us endless ways to express our creativity, resulting in a wide variety of unique imagery that expresses our unique visual voice.

On the other hand, by creating pictures from the rules-of-composition-based "do this" approach, we get images that look the same as every other photographer who applies those rules.

If someone tells us to "do this" because doing whatever "this" is will result in pictures that are compositionally "good," don't unquestioningly believe them.

Instead, ask, "What if I did this instead?"

And then do it.

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The Introduction To Photography class starts soon. 
  
More ways to study and practice photography with me are below.

Call me if you need help determining the best course for you.

I'll help you be a better photographer—study and practice photography with me. 

Currently scheduled classes are below.

Smaller classes mean better learning, so class sizes are limited to 5 participants plus me.

But smaller classes also mean spots fill up quicker, so sign up soon. 

And what if the timing doesn't work for you in any of my scheduled group classes? Private in-person lessons suited to your schedule are always an option.

And remember, we learn and improve by doing, so practice making at least one picture daily.