Rules in photography - Who dictates them?

Welcome to the wonderful world of photography!

It's not uncommon these days to see people brandishing their top of the line cameras wherever you go. Digital cameras prices have dropped so much and much more affordable compared to when it was first introduced, which is a good thing.

Photography communities are mushrooming everywhere sporting all kinds of photography genres, which is also a good thing.

And thanks also to the creation of content sharing and social networks like Flickr and Facebook that  has enabled the communities to be more easily accessible and interlinked. Knowledge are more easily shared and thoughts are more hotly debated which I believe will uplift the standard of photography.

And debate they do.. on the rules of photography.. what to do.. and what not to do.. what's right and what's wrong.. and what kind of shots and photos we should take deemed accepted by the photography community.

Now.. who dictates the rules in photography? (in rules I don't mean ethics).

Who dictates what can we shoot and what can't we shoot? Who dictates what makes a good photo? Who dictates whose work is better than the other? Who dictates what specific camera should be used in certain genre of photography?

Guide yes, suggestion yes.. but not hard and fast rules. 

Hard and fast rules only do one thing.. they set a monotonous tone and limit your creativity (and it bogs my mind big time).

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For me, photography is just like any other forms of art. It is an expression of the artist. We see, we pick up our camera and press the shutter button. If the photo is good (or 'very nice' like they always say) and universally accepted by the general crowd, then good for you. If not, it is still your work, your art... nobody should take that away from your. It is, in a way, part of your journey to discover yourself.

I'm not saying that we shouldn't take heed to any criticism. Criticism is part of the learning process. But for the love of God, don't let people dictate what you should shoot and what you should not shoot. Just do whatever you need to do for your art... your passion. Don't be too close minded and blindly follow the rules set by other people.. who ever they are.
  

Debates and forum discussions should only be participated to certain limit. I believe we should just go outside and shoot photos rather than spending hours a day on photography forums.

People speak their minds and opinions.. I accept that. Photography, like I said, is just like any other forms of art and is very subjective. But people who speak too strongly of their minds telling people what to do are just... I don't know.. you decide.

So people.. break the rules and you see the real world of photography. Let your creative minds soar!

Don't take all that I have said.. I'm an amateur in this wonderful world of photography. What's your take on this?