Working within some self-imposed limitations is a good way to breed creativity. For example, if you are into jazz, compare Kind of Blue from Miles Davis (each track works with some quite strict rules, exploring modal harmony) with the far reaches of free jazz. The chances are that all but the most obtuse are going to prefer the more structured approach - arguably, it's just as free but has some backbone to help it stand up!
I think photography works in the same way - rules like "thirds" give backbone to your composition skills and it is worth exploring them thoroughly. They aren't rules like speed limits, where you stand to get a ticket if you ignore them; they are a useful reinforcement when building personal taste (even if you deliberately choose to bounce off them - for example, taking a series in which the main subject is in the left-hand third of the screen rather than skewered by one of the lines).
Wulf
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Wulf Forrester-Barker << Sites: blog / flickr >>
Gear: Nikon D40, Nikon AFS 18-55mm f/3.5 - 5.6G, Nikon Series E 50mm f/1.8, Nikon AF 70-300mm f/4-5.6G, Vivitar 90mm f/2.5 macro, Raynox DCR-250, Lensbaby 2.0k, SB600
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