The "rules" of composition were always just suggestions.

Classic is that the rule of thirds tends to create more dynamic images. True. And there's some mathematical and psychological basis to this.

My counter-example to that one was shooting a placid sea/sky scene in which I deliberately placed the horizon dead center in the frame. I didn't want a dynamic photo. I wanted one that was utterly calm and placid, just like the subject.

But here's the kicker. I knew WHY the rule existed and as such I knew WHEN to break it in order to get the effect I was looking for.

It's true that they're not absolutes. They never were.

And that hasn't changed.