It's often tempting to draw parallels between photography and Life In General, but executing these comparisons without setting off the cliche alarm is tricky, at best. I understand, therefore, if you are unable to restrain a little roll of the eyes as I attempt to do exactly that which I have just cautioned against. Go ahead, get it out of your system - but afterwards, please hear me out.

Life is full of rules and constraints. You get up every morning, brush your teeth, put on a shirt with a collar, get to work by nine. There are schedules and deadlines. That's how it goes.

Photography, too, can seem to involve a nearly overwhelming number of commandments. "Expose your photo so that your highlights aren't blown out." "Compose according to the rule of thirds." And, sure, following these maxims can help you take great photographs. But sometimes we long for a little more... freedom.