Most of these rules are time-tested; some have been used since the basic camera days.
So, knowing them can be handy in a variety of situations.
Portraits, wildlife, or landscapesthis rule will never let you down.
The rule tells you to separate your frame into three sections and place the subject away from the center.
Switching on the grid lines in your camera will help you see where to position the subject.
The Reciprocal Rule
Want to take sharp photos?
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This is a general guideline more than a rule, but it is easy to remember and use.
Instead of following a trial-and-error method, you have a reference point for your shutter speed.
Shooting in manual modecan be daunting for beginner photographers.
It is similar to the Sunny 16 rule but is for nighttime moon photography.
Let’s say you’re photographing the moon at f/11 and ISO 100.
Your shutter speed can be 1/100th of a second.
The 500 and 600 Rules
The 500 and 600 rules are specifically for astrophotographers to avoid star trails.
Astrophotographers use a shutter speed in seconds to let more light into the camera.
But, when the exposure is long, you get a new phenomenon in your night photosstar trails.
Remember, Canon cameras have a crop factor of 1.6.
The 600 rule is similar to the 500 onejust use 600 instead of 500.
Use the 500 rule for beginner cameras and the 600 rule for high-resolution cameras.
The NPF Rule
The problem with using the 500 and 600 rules is that they are entirely accurate.
So, astrophotographers have another complex rule to get sharp stars.
Called the NPF rule, it is more accurate for calculating the shutter speed for night skies.
Pixel pitch or density is the distance between the pixels in your camera’s sensor.
The Golden Ratio Rule
This is truly a golden rule that is not easy to master.
The easiest way is to look for naturally spiral and curved elements and compose your pictures based on that.
Image Credit: Ian Muttoo/Wikimedia Commons
See our detailed explanation of thegolden ratio in photographyto understand the math behind it.
Using colors this way will help your photos look pleasing to the eyes instead of cluttered.
Try this lesser-known compositional rule to see the difference in your photos.
The Rule of Vanishing Point
A vanishing point is where two parallel lines converge and vanish.
For example, imagine the parallel lines of a train track or a wooden bridge.
Artists use this technique to create depth and add a sense of scale to paintings.
Similarly, you’re able to use vanishing points to create powerful compositions.
Placing your subject bang on the vanishing point can make for an exciting photo.
But remember to use them as guides, and don’t shy from tweaking them to suit your needs.
