Lovely soft light, the rule of thirds, nice, even exposures… These are all the fundamental skills we are taught when we first take the plunge into manual mode and begin learning photography. And there’s a reason for this – a thorough understanding of these technical elements helps us build a strong foundation for our photography, which is exactly what we teach in our Enthusiast Course.
But rules are made to be broken! And as Picasso so succinctly said – we learn the rules like pros, so we can then break them like artists! The key is knowing WHICH rules to break, and WHEN and HOW to break them. And that’s where the Advanced Course comes in…
So what do we mean when we talk about breaking the rules in photography? It’s about learning how to use our technical skills to execute a creative idea or vision that tells the story of who we are as artists…
Playing With Light
When we’re first learning photography, we’re encouraged to look for soft light in which to shoot. It’s flattering, it’s predictable, and it’s easy to work with. But as we become more comfortable with our cameras and more confident in manual mode, we start to look outside the confines of open shade and soft window light, and a whole new world opens up!
Think moody, directional light, full sun, dramatic shadows, beautiful backlight, stunning silhouettes, lens flares and haze… As your ability to read light develops, so too does your ability to create stunning images at any time of day, in any situation, indoors or outdoors…
Related: How to use natural light for dark and moody portraits, Dramatic portraits with natural light
![](https://clicklovegrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/sarah-shepherd-advanced-graduate-ua.jpg)
Sarah Shepherd, Advanced Graduate
![](https://clicklovegrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/anna-menendez-advanced-graduate.jpg)
Anna Menendez, Advanced Graduate
![toddler girl in yellow dress with tortoise](https://clicklovegrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/becca-1000.jpg)
Becca Lord-Lyon, CLG Instructor
![lavender malt in glasses with ice](https://clicklovegrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/naomi-1000.jpg)
Naomi Sherman, Advanced Graduate
![two young girls running through reeds at golden hour](https://clicklovegrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/dinithi-1000.jpg)
Dinithi Ranathunga, Advanced Graduate
![woman in yellow check dress holding toddler girl](https://clicklovegrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/vicki-1000.jpg)
Vicki Cardilini, Advanced Graduate
![silhouette of three children](https://clicklovegrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/morvern-1000.jpg)
Morvern Shaw, Advanced Graduate
![](https://clicklovegrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/toni-3.jpg)
Toni McDonald, Advanced Graduate
![](https://clicklovegrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/kristin-zeljkovic-advanced-graduate.jpg)
Kristin Zeljkovic, Advanced Graduate
![black and white directional light portrait of toddler boy](https://clicklovegrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/emma-1000-1.jpg)
Emma Davis, CLG Instructor
![](https://clicklovegrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/dana.jpg)
Dana Pentland, Advanced Graduate
Clever Compositions
When you think about composition, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? It’s the rule of thirds, right?! There’s no doubt that the rule of thirds is a powerful compositional tool, but it’s definitely not the be-all and end-all! In fact, when we consider other elements of composition such as framing, layering and leading lines, sometimes breaking the rule of thirds is the way forward!
Related: How to use leading lines for great photos, Breaking the rule of thirds, Using negative space for spectacular photos
![red haired girl looking through tunnel](https://clicklovegrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/alivrbas-1000.jpg)
Ali Vrbas, Advanced Graduate
![vintage bathroom with claw bath](https://clicklovegrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/heidi.jpg)
Heidi Talic, Advanced Graduate
![indoor silhouette of baby in window](https://clicklovegrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/hope-1000.jpg)
Hope de la Rosa, Advanced Graduate
![two boys playing in playroom](https://clicklovegrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/kirsty-1000.jpg)
Kirsty Nealon, Advanced Graduate
![what is contemporary portraits](https://clicklovegrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/everyday-life-4.jpg)
Bronwyn Pickering, Advanced Graduate
![](https://clicklovegrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/aliv-8-1.jpg)
Ali Vrbas, Advanced Graduate
![](https://clicklovegrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/morvern-shaw-advanced-graduate.jpg)
Morvern Shaw, Advanced Graduate
![](https://clicklovegrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/heather-lingard.jpg)
Heather Lingard, Graduate
Storytelling
What’s the difference between a snapshot and a powerful, timeless image? Well, composition is important, of course, as is exposure. But when we go beyond what an image looks like and start to think about how an image makes us feel, well, then we’ve mastered the art of storytelling!
When using an image to tell a story, we take into account every single element included in the frame. From the way our subjects are dressed, to the way they’re positioned, to the way they are connecting with each other and with the camera. And by including these elements in our frame with purpose, we can create images that draw the viewer into the story…
Related: 32 Contemporary Portrait Ideas
![toddler boy stacking blocks](https://clicklovegrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/emma-1000-5.jpg)
Emma Davis, CLG Instructor
![faceless portrait of toddler girl playing hopscotch](https://clicklovegrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/pam-thorne-1000.jpg)
Pam Thorne-Gosenheimer, Advanced Graduate
![selective focus image of guitars and fairy lights](https://clicklovegrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/pam-bradford-1000.jpg)
Pam Bradford, CLG Instructor
![young girl hanging paper hearts in window](https://clicklovegrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/sue-1000.jpg)
Sue Thorn, Advanced Graduate
![woman in batman mask reading comic](https://clicklovegrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/maria-r-1000.jpg)
Maria Riboli, Advanced Graduate
![](https://clicklovegrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/151266486-790561821541686-7406203770524393723-n.jpg)
Vicki Cardilini, Advanced Graduate
![](https://clicklovegrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/1-tandra-nicole-2.jpg)
Tandra Nicole, Graduate
If you’re already shooting in manual mode, on our Advanced Photography Course you will learn to shoot with confidence in any scenario, expand your tech skills and push yourself artistically to develop your style through intensive 1:1 critique on your work. Our next course begins soon, join our wait list to get an email when we go on sale!
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