Photo by janiecbros via iStock
Photography rules are the guiding principles that teach us how to create visually attractive and technically sound images. However, in artistic photography, two key elements are the ability to think outside the box and the willingness to break those standard photography rules when necessary.
In this article, we’ll share four ways breaking the rules of photography can make you a better, more creative photographer. We’ll explore subjects such as experimenting with unconventional angles, embracing motion blur, playing around with black-and-white photography, and incorporating abstract elements into your images.
These tips and tricks are designed to help everyone, from beginners to professional photographers, so regardless of your photography experience, there’s plenty to learn below. With that in mind, it’s time to buckle up as we dive headfirst into the magical world of artistic photography!
Check out the video above by Mango Street to learn more about how and when to break the rules of photography and why it can benefit you as a photographer.
Table of Contents
- Experimenting with Unconventional Angles for Artistic Photography
- Embracing Blur and Motion in Artistic Photography
- Playing with Color and Monochrome for Artistic Photography
- Incorporating Abstract Elements into Your Artistic Photography Shots
- Final Thoughts on Artistic Photography
- Other Recommended Photography Gear
Experimenting with Unconventional Angles for Artistic Photography
Photo by Nastco via iStock
Instead of always shooting images head-on, why don’t you try shooting some photos from unconventional angles next time you take photos with your camera? Popular angles to try include low, high, over-the-shoulder, and birds-eye-view shots.
An incredibly useful tool for capturing different angles is the tripod. Tripods allow you to set up your camera at nearly any angle imaginable, giving you unlimited creative freedom as a photographer. Additionally, they will stabilize your camera, leading to sharper, more detailed photos.
With that in mind, one tripod we love is the Vanguard Alta Pro 263AB. It’s a sturdy, reliable, and versatile tripod that also happens to be incredibly affordable. Its signature features include adjustable legs (height and angle), a fluid ball head, and its innovative Swivel Stop-n-Lock system.
With three 26mm three-section aluminum alloy legs that adjust to 25, 50, and 80-degree angles, you can position this tripod quickly and easily to get the shot you envision. Its fluid SBH-100 ball head offers additional versatility with 360-degree rotation and a quick-release plate. The included bubble level ensures your shots don’t have wonky horizons, either!
Another feature worth mentioning is the multi-angle central column, which offers 180-degree movement on the vertical and horizontal axes. When creating artistic shots, having this flexibility and versatility is paramount!
Of course, you get all these features (and more!) in a package that’s just over five pounds and is just 28.2 inches long when folded (68.2 inches when extended). And with a weight capacity of 15.4 pounds, you can load it up with gear and do so with confidence.
Alternatively, drones are game-changing tools for aerial photography and videography. We have taken some of our favorite, most epic photos with the help of drones.
Embracing Blur and Motion in Artistic Photography
Photo by PPAMPicture via iStock
Usually, blurry images are one of your worst enemies as a photographer, but there are a couple of exceptions—freezing a subject amongst a blurry background and vice-versa. Adding planned motion blur to your artistic photography is an easy way to make your photos stand out and capture more attention.
Creating images with a sharp subject and a blurry background can be challenging, but with a little practice, you can start producing amazing photos regularly. This picture style is especially common in action, adventure, sports, wildlife, and macro photography. To accomplish it, you have two options.
The first is to use a high aperture to create a shallow depth of field (bokeh effect). This technique highlights your subject and makes it stand out from the background. Conversely, you can add artificial blur by using a medium shutter speed and panning your camera to follow a moving subject (like the motorcycle in the image above).
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Playing with Color and Monochrome for Artistic Photography
Photo by Misha Kaminsky via iStock
Photographers are often overly obsessed with the colors in their photos. They spend hours and hours trying to research cameras with the best color science, figuring out which camera settings will generate the most vivid colors, and editing their images in post-production to make photos look just right.
What if, instead, you went the other way and simplified your photos by going monochrome? There is a certain classic look and artistic appeal to black-and-white photos that, when done well, makes them just as beautiful (if not more) than color photographs.
Many new cameras have a pre-installed monochrome option to shoot your photos directly in black and white. If your camera doesn’t, you can quickly and easily change your color photos to monochrome with the click of a button in any modern editing software.
Incorporating Abstract Elements into Your Artistic Photography Shots
Photo by yrabota via iStock
Another way to enhance your artistic photography is to practice abstract photography. What is abstract photography? It’s the art of taking photos that express ideas and emotions without creating realistic-looking images.
While it sounds simple, it’s a genre of photography that many professional photographers struggle with. That’s because they have been trained to work a specific way and to follow traditional subject rules like making a subject the main focal point of an image and composition rules like “the rule of thirds.”
Ways to add abstract elements to your artistic photography include shadows, reflections, motion, and naturally occurring patterns. Macro photography is a great way to start practicing abstract photography. Just make sure you invest in a solid macro lens first.
Final Thoughts on Artistic Photography
Photo by borchee via iStock
While those are four fantastic methods that will help you unleash your inner creativity, they aren’t the only ones. Check out the list below to learn more ways to take your artistic photography skills to the next level.
- Edit your images
- Experiment with different lighting techniques
- Shoot RAW photos and shoot in manual mode
- Take long exposures and double exposures
- Forced perspective photography
Other Recommended Photography Gear
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