The Rules of Photography and When to Break

One of the most popular cameras on the market is called the "Digital Rebel," yet many photographers use it and its brethren following tired old rules from tired old photographers. This book aims to show new and intermediate photographers that they can move beyond the dogma and shoot more creatively. If you're just starting out with a camera, or are starting to think about switching away from "auto," this is the perfect book for you. Not only will you find within all the classical "rules"-useful basic knowledge that can sharpen anyone's eye for great photography-but you'll simultaneously be shown how you can push the boundaries that many teachers erroneously set, filling your memory card with exciting, different pictures every time. This book brings the aspirational photography seen by so many in books or on Flickr within reach of everyone. An accessible book with inspiring images and an encouraging style Ideal for readers with point-and-shoots and DSLRs Every spread includes a quick summary and convenient references to related topics Digital editing section allows you to be creative with photos you've already shot

Introduction
Introduction	p. 6
How to use this book	p. 8
Equipment Show me yours, IÆll show you mine	p. 10
Equipment: Choosing a camera	p. 12
Equipment: Lenses	p. 16
Basic Concepts: Creating an exposure	p. 18
Basic Concepts: Shutter speed	p. 20
Basic Concepts: Aperture	p. 22
Basic Concepts: ISO	p. 24
Basic Concepts: White balance	p. 26
Exposure
The elements of an exposure	p. 30
Shooting modes	p. 32
What is a "correct" exposure?	p. 34
Understanding metering modes	p. 36
Reading a histogram	p. 38
Exposure Rule: Always get your exposure perfect	p. 42
Exposure Rule: Keep the tones even	p. 44
Break the Rule: High-key photography	p. 46
Break the Rule: Low-key photography	p. 48
Exposure Rule: Always use the lowest ISO possible	p. 50
Break the Rule: Shoot at high ISOs	p. 52
Composition
The rules of composition in photography	p. 56
The Rule: You must have a focal point	p. 58
Break the Rule: Embracing chaos	p. 60
The Rule: Keep the horizon straight	p. 62
Break the Rule: Wonky horizons	p. 64
The Rule: Photograph children at eye level	p. 66
Break the Rule: Climb up high; get down low	p. 68
The Rule: Use leading lines	p. 70
Break the Rule: Peaceful compositions	p. 72
The Rule: Use unusual viewpoints	p. 74
Break the Rule: Stick to the classics	p. 76
The Rule: Use natural frames	p. 78
Break the Rule: Know when to use frames	p. 80
The Rule: Always simplify your images	p. 82
Break the Rule: Capture complication	p. 83
The Rule: Give your subject space to move into	p. 84
Break the Rule: "Nearly missed you"	p. 86
Advanced Composition Techniques
The Rule: Use plain backgrounds	p. 90
Break the Rule: Use creative backgrounds	p. 92
The Rule: The rule of thirds	p. 94
Break the Rule: Breaking the rule of thirds	p. 96
The Rule: Don't crop heads	p. 98
Break the Rule: Crop heads & get in close	p. 100
The Rule: Landscapes & maximized depth of field	p. 102
Break the Rule: Landscapes & shallow depth of field	p. 104
The Rule: Always get in close	p. 106
Break the Rule: Take a step back	p. 108
The Rule: Balance the elements of your composition	p. 110
Break the Rule: Creating unstable compositions	p. 111
The Rule: Keep your focal point in focus	p. 112
Break the Rule: Throw focus to the wind	p. 113
The Rule: Get your models to act natural	p. 114
Break the Rule: Go over the top	p. 116
Photography Concepts
The Rule: Plan your shoot	p. 120
Break the Rule: Go ad-hoc	p. 122
The Rule: Traveling for wildlife photography	p. 124
Break the Rule: Local wildlife	p. 126
The Rule: Use correct white balance	p. 128
Break the Rule: Bring on the off-white balance	p. 130
The Rule: Use blurred backgrounds	p. 132
Break the Rule: Keep everything beautifully sharp	p. 133
The Rule: Always use a tripod	p. 134
Break the Rule: Going legless	p. 135
The Rule: Keep foregrounds in focus	p. 136
Break the Rule: Playing with multi-layered images	p. 137
The Rule: Avoid camera shake	p. 138
Break the Rule: Give your camera a good rattle	p. 139
The Rule: Freezing motion with fast shutter speeds	p. 140
Break the Rule: Let it flow	p. 142
The Rule: Sharper is better	p. 144
Break the Rule: Embrace the blur	p. 146
Lighting
The Rule: Keep the sun behind you	p. 150
Break the Rule: Shoot into the sun	p. 151
The Rule: If it's dark, use flash	p. 152
Break the Rule: Shooting in the dark	p. 154
The Rule: Higher contrast makes better photos	p. 156
Break the Rule: Low-contrast compositions	p. 157
The Rule: Use color to create mood	p. 158
Break the Rule: Mixed messages & muted colors	p. 160
The Rule: White balance your photos	p. 162
Break the Rule: Throwing white balance to the wind	p. 164
The Rules of the Digital Darkroom
The Rule: Use Adobe Photoshop	p. 168
Break the Rule: Photoshop alternatives	p. 170
The Rule: Never take back-ups	p. 172
The Rule: Always shoot in Raw	p. 174
Break the Rule: Not shooting in Raw	p. 175
The Rule: Stick to standard aspect ratios	p. 176
Break the Rule: Getting creative with aspect ratios	p. 177
The Rule: Keep saturation looking natural	p. 178
Break the Rule: Natural is for wimpsùlet saturation be your badge of pride	p. 179
The Rule: Converting your photos to black & white	p. 180
Break the Rule: Creatively converting your photos to black & white	p. 182
The Rule: Spot-editing your photographs	p. 184
Reference
Glossary	p. 188
Index	p. 190
Acknowledgments	p. 192
Picture credits	p. 192
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.

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The Rules of Photography and When to Break Them

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