Now, you know that little obsession I have with challenges being technically oriented. You're also well aware of my anal little obsession with rules, and not breaking them without good reason. So, you've probably heard my patented speech in regards to my whole theory of the rule of breaking the rules - if you're going to break a rule, don't just bend it, shatter it to smitherines, otherwise, it just looks like a mistake. Let me repeat that... IF YOU'RE GOING TO BREAK A RULE, DON'T JUST BEND IT, SHATTER IT TO SMITHERINES, OTHERWISE IT JUST LOOKS LIKE A MISTAKE! That's right. If you don't have the confidence to shatter the rule, nobody can tell that it is intentional, and everyone will comment on the "error" and you're just stuck defending yourself, trying to explain that it was intentional. If you've broken it with gusto, there will be no doubt it was intentional. Some may like it. Some may not. But all will understand that you meant to do it, and that you are a brazen and bold artiiiist'! :) We will all applaud your daring bravado!
So, what ARE the rules? In what manner shall you break them? Surprise us! But, alas, don't leave us guessing! This challenge requires justifying yourself! You must include a blurb, directly under your image (not in the comments section) which states which rule you broke, and why you were justified in doing so!
For example:
"Proper Exposure" - I blew the highlights. The blown areas acted as a halo behind the subject, which separated them from the background. A proper exposure would have caused the subject to be lost amongst the background.
Here is a list of important rules. It covers the biggies. Sure, there are others, and you are welcome to use them as well, but these are the basics to get you going:
Proper Exposure
No blurring or fuzziness around objects
(BW) Solid black to solid white withe a good range of grey
Details in highlights and Shadows
Saturated color
Correct color balance
Correct color fidelity (colors match those in the real world)
Sharp focus
Attention-getting subject
Emotional impact - grabs the viewer
Positive or negative response
Visual impact - attracts viewers
Universal theme (intangible - ie. mother's love)
Principle of thirds (hmmmm... have I ever mentioned that one? LOL!)
Easily identifiable theme (intangible)
Easily identifiable subject (tangible)
Subject emphasis (placement, relative size, framing, converging lines, selective focus, -----------repetition, motion, visual laering, geometric forms)
No unnecessary background or foreground clutter
No elements that compete for attention
No large areas of empty space
No bright spots or spots of light
No elements that distract from the subject
For you recalcitrant clowns out there, any image that doesn't break a rule - so you can claim that the rule you broke was that you have to break a rule - will be considered ineligible! ;) LOL!
Let's take this year out with some fantastic, original, artistic photography to ripen us for the new year!
Lovingly,
Lonnit
The Challenge Thread can be found here: Part1; Part 2
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