Photography "rules" are a starting point - nothing more.

They are best used for learning, to keep people from taking (just as an example) portraits (if you can visualize this in your head) where the subject is completely in the lower half exact center of the fully exposed image - total waste of space, etc., and when blowing it up to fit larger sizes it will fall apart VERY fast. Use the frame, etc.

I've seen absolutely gorgeous images where the "horizon" is just barely above the very bottom of the image - or barely below the top.

As mentioned above, follow your gut - and shoot what YOU want to see - not what you think will please others.

Hope this helps-
-Lew ;-)