Ritva states this week’s challenge like this: “We work so hard to learn the photography rules (at least I do), but now it is time to BREAK them!! The problem is just that in order to break a rule, you must know that there is a rule in the first place!”
Well, I never really studied photography, but Ann-Christine from the blog “Leya” was kind enough to post this graphic, which I found on Etsy:

So, it would seem that there are “rules” for composition, and probably rules for light exposure, focus, color treatment, and maybe a lot more factors as well. And what would be the point of breaking any of these rules? Possibly it would open an opportunity to “see” something quite differently. For instance, what if your group shot didn’t include faces, but feet?

This shot will always remind me of standing in the rain in New Orleans with my family as we waited for a table at a popular restaurant.

And what if you hadn’t prepared for a shot in any way at all but just pointed your camera at something happening around you at took your chances? You might record a moment of spontaneous action, Life in all its unpredictable beauty.

And what if the only thing you get is cluttered and out of focus and poorly lit – but happens to be exactly how the scene felt? When there just isn’t time to follow the rules, maybe it’s better to live in the moment and improvise. Get jazzed!

Priscilla, what a great post. You showed us that spontaneity is the key to good photos. Yours are great!
Thanks so much, Egidio!
The images are lovely—natural, honest, and full of feeling. They capture real moments, not just perfect ones. The feet in the rain say more than a dozen posed smiles. It’s a reminder that photos don’t need to be perfect to be meaningful.
Philo
Thanks! I’m glad you like them. 🙂
Spontaneous photos often have a mood and feeling that you can sense. The two that stood out is the bikes driving by and the jazz musicians, the last is definitely jazzy.
Thanks, Ritva, for a technical challenge that was fun and accessible. 🙂
Thanks – glad you enjoyed it.
You know the think I really like about these images is how you have captured the movement, great images Priscilla.
Thanks, Leanne!
Priscilla, I love this post and how you captured the moment in each one of them.
Thanks!
Priscilla, I am enamored with the bicycle shot. It makes me want to go out at night and find bicycles with lighted wheels. I doubt I’ll find them outside a big city. >grin<
Yeah, it helps to have street lights all around as well. 🙂
Very clever response Priscilla! Some wonderful moments to remember
Thanks, Tina!
I love the positive feel of this post and that bicycle shot is fantastic!
Thanks, Sofia!
Really interesting, I guess its about your intention with the shot, if its about making a connection or communicating a mood/atmosphere I feel like it’s a little the same in music, it usually comes down to the delivery in the end, (unless you’ve done something really obviously wrong!) If you feel it, someone else probably will too – these really connected with me! love that feet shot particularly, great idea!!
Thanks for your observations – I’m so glad you felt connected! 🙂