The Fundamental ”Rules” of Photography

In this episode, Court lays out a practical foundation of photography “rules” — not as rigid constraints, but as dependable starting points. These principles show up again and again because they work: they help you handle light, composition, focus, and technical settings with more confidence. Once you understand them, you can follow them when they serve the image, and break them deliberately when the scene calls for something different. The goal is simple: more intentionality, and better photographs in the field.

The 14 Fundamental Rules of Photography

1. Focus on the eyes.
2. Use the rule of thirds.
3. Follow the inverse focal length rule for handholding.
4. Prioritize side lighting.
5. Shoot during golden hour.
6. Compose with odd numbers of subjects.
7. Keep horizons straight.
8. Include foreground, mid-ground, and background.
9. Expose for the highlights.
10. Leave space in the direction your subject is looking (eye-line rule).
11. Avoid lines cutting through faces/heads (face-and-line rule).
12. Use the 500 rule for astrophotography.
13. Create subject/background separation.
14. Simplify the frame

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