Photo composition and aesthetics

So after doing research on my own about composition and aesthetics plus what I learned about it from another class I have found this website that had some really nice information on it one of the things that I l;ike is the whole KISS philosophy and this site does just that it Keeps It Simple Stupid this is what it said
Composition guidelines are not our enemies but exist to help us. I think of them as tools and not rules. They originate from different arts, people, places, times, and ideas. Some common guidelines for nature and wildlife photographers include:

• Don't center your subject unless doing so strengthens the image;
• Arrange your scene so objects in the image guide the viewer's eye around the image. This gives you a small measure of control over how your work is viewed; and
• Shoot in sidelight to reveal the texture of your subjects and add a 3D feel.

Experiment, have fun, and play with the guidelines! You may do something so innovative that you create a new guideline and retire an old one. Whatever you do, treat composition guidelines as what they are: tools and not rules.

It reminds us that although these techniques are tried and true they are simply guidelines and we should feel free to tweek them to fit the style picture we are looking for.