what makes a great picture?

The more I mature as a photographer, I begin to realize the answer.

I have found that the one greatest thing that makes a photo great is its ability to convey a deeper feeling to the viewer.

I used to break down photography into composition, exposure, lighting, post production work, and every other minute detail - a common practice for beginning photographers.

but in the past year, i have seen so many great shots that defer from the "rules" or aren't even the least bit spectacular in any of the before mentioned categories (lighting, composition, etc.)

but they're amazing shots because they can convey more than just "pretty picture." i've seen a lot of great work, like from Anouk Morgan [link] , that do just that. Anouk has what I call "romantic vision." To see her work is much more full filling than those perfectly executed cookie-cutter shots that i used to praise.

I want to shoot something more than just those pretty pictures. More than cookie-cutter shots. Something people haven't seen before.

But to convey emotion is the hardest by far.