The rule of thirds is a photographic rule for a good reason; it just works. As new photographers start out it is best to learn these rules and to stick with them. As skills develop the time will come when we learn when and why to break the rules. The rules can only be broken if the image is still strong when the rules are violated. For example, we are quickly taught that we do not place strong compositional elements in the middle of the shot. Well ...

Does this image work for you? Does it have depth? I like this image and took it this way very deliberately. First of all, the plant growing on solid rock is amazing and it tells a story or asks questions. It is very different from the surrounding and therefore it stands out making it a strong compositional element. Yet, it is placed right in the middle of the image, laterally speaking. So why does this work compositionally?

1. The plant is balanced with the brighter rock standing out in the distance.

2. There is a line that connects the plant with those rocks. This line creates depth.

3. This line kind of goes at an angle making the image more dynamic.

4. I brightened this line somewhat in post processing to emphasize the connection.

5. The juxtaposition of the plant with those rocks also create depth.

So don't be afraid to break the rules but only do so if it works. We need strong compositions for compelling images. Don't break the rules just to break the rules. I often call my wife to my office when I process images and ask her if the image does something for her. I want to make sure that it is not my emotional attachment to the image that makes it work for me. It is easy to be emotionally attached to an image, after all I may have hikes miles to get there. The image needs to work well even for someone who has never been there. If it is pleasing to an outsider then you may have a strong image. We need to test our images in this way especially when we break the rules just to make sure that it still makes sense and is still a strong image.