>> The fact is, nobody can possibly name a single "rule of thumb" a) such that >> it will usefully improve pictures in all situations where it can be applied >> and b) such that pictures which do not conform to the rule will not be >> strong or successful or good or whatever positive word you want to use. > > Mike, I don't believe anybody has made these claims during this > discussion. On the contrary, people have repeatedly pointed out > the ambiguity in the word 'rule' and warned against misinterpreting > it. But you've continued wilfully to misrepresent the position and set > it up as a straw man just to knock it down.
Bob W., But I have NOT done that. I'm simply applying a simple, basic empirical test. If a "rule" doesn't help and ignoring it doesn't hurt, then what possible good is it??? If you're saying that in some cases it might work and thus might or might not be applied, and in other cases it might not work so might need to be rejected, then what in the world is the difference between that and simply photographing freely "by eye" without recourse to such rules of thumb?? --Mike
