You should develop a strong sense of composition to be able to break the rules. hmmmm, before that you should know the rules and know them very well. It is only a split second that you get when you need to decide the composition bit. will be puting together examples where typical photography rules have not been followed but still the shot looks great.
 
     
         
       
  THERE SHOULD BE MORE SPACE IN FRONT OF THE SUBJECT    
       
  SUN SHOULD BE BEHIND THE SUBJECT    
       
  DO NOT USE WIDE ANGLE LENS FOR PORTRAITS    
       
  FOLLOW THE RULE OF THIRDS    
       
  THERE SHOULD BE DETAIL IN BOTH THE LIGHTER AND THE DARKER  PARTS OF THE SUBJECT    
       
  HORIZON SHOULD BE STRAIGHT