I fell in love with the 1:1 aspect ratio/square photos when I started using Instagram around 2011. 1:1 was the default for the in-app camera and Instagram could only display square images. My passion for the square was solidified when Chatbooks launched as an inexpensive fast way to make books from your Instagram feed and I ordered a few.
like you, I miss square in Instagram. As a working photographer, do you know that wedding albums are still produced for clients in the square 8x8 and 10x10 formats? It;s a challenge to get multiple photos to fit, but we live with it, as the albums look great.
I've seen some spectacular square wedding albums... and from those its apparent to me, its not just a setting on the camera... but rather a mindset and approach by the photographers that make those 1:1 sing.
Excellent question. I don’t know all the answers. But I have a few theories.
1) Much of what I shoot is geometrical often shot straight on with lines, 90° angles, squares, rectangles. So the square format enhances that.
2) The composition of my photos often goes against some of the basics were taught about composition. And other words Often my subject is centered. That seems to work really well with the format.
3) It’s a change. So often we see the world in 3:2 (Or another landscape format ) with our eyes. So the Square format makes me stop and see things differently which makes me think about what I’m trying to capture.
Thanks for the explanation, Josh. Your square photos look really good, actually. I’ve always thought the format was a little too square, but ultimately it’s a matter of taste. I like to have visual moments at the edges of the frame that might look like throwaways, yet essential to the heart of the photo. I’ve never managed to achieve that with the square format.
Square format does feel like an underutilised medium. I feel like rectangular compositions inherently have a sense of direction to them that a square frame removes.
I did not know this workaround for shooting square, thanks Josh! I rarely have the need to shoot square, but I do know from shooting 120 film that the 1:1 aspect ratio certainly has its uses.
If you try it please let me know. I’m curious to know if Lightroom automatically applies the crop to the RAW file when you import it. Or whether I changed some setting to make that happen.
For my BeyondFocus project (collection? ;) I use square format and I find I can handle square format much easier on my phone than with my 'normal' camera (Fuji X-T5 btw)? I have no clue why that is but alas 😁 I do like 5:4 ratio too, which I do find more easy to accomplish with my Fuji camera.
A while ago I have tried to set the ratio in camera but haven't loaded these photos in Capture One or PhotoLab yet, so I'm not sure what these editors do. Possibly they also apply the crop at import.
No, not all types of photography work in a square format, but for my conceptual projects it seem to fit well. More attention to the subject. Even for lots of my landscapes it also works. Those are graphical and minimalistic.
like you, I miss square in Instagram. As a working photographer, do you know that wedding albums are still produced for clients in the square 8x8 and 10x10 formats? It;s a challenge to get multiple photos to fit, but we live with it, as the albums look great.
I've seen some spectacular square wedding albums... and from those its apparent to me, its not just a setting on the camera... but rather a mindset and approach by the photographers that make those 1:1 sing.
we never shoot wedding pix square!
Ahhh, just the album. But I have seen some sequel images
well guys, when it comes to square i'm old fashion: medium format cameras can shoot 120 film in square format, usually 6x6cm. an absolut beauty.
even tho, i prefer the 645 format which to me is the perfection of all formats
I never got to try medium format but the aspect ratio was always one of the attractions
put this to try for the first time today
https://substack.com/@perfectlight/note/c-55507826?r=2b8uel&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
Can’t wait to see what you get.
me too
I love these! I have been hesitant to "go square," as it feels so different from 4/6, 5/7, but these are great, Josh!
I love square format. So happy for you to figured it out how to photograph in square. The results are great!
What is it about the square format, Josh, that appeals to you?
Excellent question. I don’t know all the answers. But I have a few theories.
1) Much of what I shoot is geometrical often shot straight on with lines, 90° angles, squares, rectangles. So the square format enhances that.
2) The composition of my photos often goes against some of the basics were taught about composition. And other words Often my subject is centered. That seems to work really well with the format.
3) It’s a change. So often we see the world in 3:2 (Or another landscape format ) with our eyes. So the Square format makes me stop and see things differently which makes me think about what I’m trying to capture.
Thanks for the explanation, Josh. Your square photos look really good, actually. I’ve always thought the format was a little too square, but ultimately it’s a matter of taste. I like to have visual moments at the edges of the frame that might look like throwaways, yet essential to the heart of the photo. I’ve never managed to achieve that with the square format.
Square format does feel like an underutilised medium. I feel like rectangular compositions inherently have a sense of direction to them that a square frame removes.
I am going to try this out! Thanks Josh!
I did not know this workaround for shooting square, thanks Josh! I rarely have the need to shoot square, but I do know from shooting 120 film that the 1:1 aspect ratio certainly has its uses.
If you try it please let me know. I’m curious to know if Lightroom automatically applies the crop to the RAW file when you import it. Or whether I changed some setting to make that happen.
For my BeyondFocus project (collection? ;) I use square format and I find I can handle square format much easier on my phone than with my 'normal' camera (Fuji X-T5 btw)? I have no clue why that is but alas 😁 I do like 5:4 ratio too, which I do find more easy to accomplish with my Fuji camera.
A while ago I have tried to set the ratio in camera but haven't loaded these photos in Capture One or PhotoLab yet, so I'm not sure what these editors do. Possibly they also apply the crop at import.
Thanks for the post. Nice images Josh!
Ooh I'm a square format enthusiast as well. Have made my best series (according to me) in 1:1
What do you like about it?
Any tips to pass on?
Can you make all subjects work in a square or do you find it best for some and terrible for others?
No, not all types of photography work in a square format, but for my conceptual projects it seem to fit well. More attention to the subject. Even for lots of my landscapes it also works. Those are graphical and minimalistic.