I had the exact same experience when starting a new job. The team had very strict rules that absolutely could not be broken. When I finally asked an architect he said the same thing: it’s just a general guideline, but of course if it makes more sense to deviate, then by all means.
They fostered this culture because they mostly had junior programmers, but they never evolved beyond that because they were taught “good code” but never learned why it’s good code.
To me, what sets apart good coders from mediocre ones is one thing: understanding why we do things. Don’t just implement the thing because that’s the task. Understand why it’s required and your implementation will be better. Don’t blindly follow best practices. Understand why they are best practices and when they apply. Understand what’s going on rather than just do what you’re told (but probably also do what you’re told if you want to keep your job).
I know people who have been at it for many years and they don’t understand why we do things this or that way, they just know that’s how we should do it.
What do you intend to take macro photos of? I have the canon EF 100 f/2.8 and it’s pretty versatile, not to mention a pretty good choice for portraits (although on a crop sensor you do get a bit far away). For macro a little distance is good so you don’t block the light or, if that’s your deal, scare off the insects.
Me neither, but honestly it could go either way. On the one hand he’s super pro privatisation and giving rich people more money. On the other he’s releasing all the prisoners. The white Nazis anyway.