Rules are not there to be adhered to but to ignore them for no particular purpose will generally result in a much less pleasing image. The composition rules for instance are the results of what appeals to the human eye/mind. Often the viewer doesn't even know why but they like it. This can happen when the rules are broken but that is the exception.
As to ignoring technical perfections - to me technical perfection is what makes the image viewable and understandable. Artistic expression can come from knowledgable use of light and shadow, knowledgable use of DOF. Challenges in anyone's life are opportunities to grow. And if you're not growing you're decaying.
