As children we are taught to follow the rules, whether those set by our parents, our school or society in general. And when we first start to take our photography seriously we discover that there are rules there too. It’s perhaps really only once you have learned these rules and are applying them instinctively that you can also learn when and how to break them.

Shapes and lines are important elements in photographic composition, but how often do we stop to consider them? I think I am more aware of lines than I am of shapes, to be honest. I look for leading lines and for dynamic diagonals in particular, but I’m less likely to look for specific shapes.