Photoforum Photography Challenge 2010-15

[Grandpa]

These days the predominant format for images is the rectangle. Our film and sensors are rectangular and square cropping is often seen as old-fashioned, dating back to medium format film.

I use it all the time, though (at the risk, I guess, of seeming old-fashioned. :P)

The Square format is a simple and uncomplicated one that is particularly useful for symmetrical images, especially where there is a central point of interest. (Of course there’s no rules on this – unsymmetrical images can also work nicely too). The other rules of composition that we've worked on still apply. And you'll need to be thinking about that square crop while you're framing your composition in your rectangular viewfinder.



So while you're out shooting consider how the image you're making might look in a square crop. And while you're post-processing, consider square instead of 4x5 or 2x3.



The rules:

1. Only photos taken during the challenge period should be posted.
2. Limit of 2 pictures per post for this topic.
3. Discussion of technique and/or inspiration is encouraged!
4. Remember - this is NOT a contest - no voting, no prizes - other than better photos!

Have fun - take pictures - be square!

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[craig_k]

dazzaone....whew..........i kept looking at the top for the 2 limit thang 4 different times.i knew it existed....didnt see it ..thot well its been lifted....thanks for the heads up, iappreciate it..........no need to get a spanking for shear, blatent derelection........lol

[Dazzaone]

Craig quick buddy before Dane sees your post, you have broken half the rules there, see 1 & 2. Way to go fella

[watergirl]

Craig - I kinda wish you'd left them in, it's made me curious. But I wouldn't want you to get into trouble or anything...

I guess flowers are an obvious choice for square. I just got a set of extension tubes and have been trying them out in the garden, but I can't say I've got the hang of them yet:



This one also from today. At first I wasn't sure if it should be square or horizontal, but then I cropped it once again closer and I think now the square works:

[WetBottom]

I love square crops! I'll have to figure out some from my shots from today...

[Grandpa]

Congrats on the tubes, Marie. That's a beautiful shade of orange - my favorite color! I think the gulls work well, too.

Bring 'em on, Laura!

[Mulewings~]

Yes it works on the gulls!!!

I'm working midnights, not much to shoot at night!

[clupica]

Marie,

It looks to me like you have the tubes under perfect control. That orange flower is very nice.

--
Val,

If I remember correctly, you're a security guard; so it's good that there's not much to shoot at night. If you can, take some stuff with you and then do a few still-lifes. The flower with a flashlight in another forum was pretty nice.

--
Dane et al.

For me, it would be better if the square crops were limited to 640 or 720 on a side. The squares are just to big to see the whole thing at once unless I scale down the browser and then all the type is so small.

Charles

[watergirl]

Thanks everyone! The tubes are a belated birthday present (had to order them south of the border, they're double the price here) and so far the orange flower is the best I've got. It just feels awkward right now trying to figure which lens, what zoom, and where to hold the camera. A little more practice and I should be fine.

I know how you feel Val, here they're calling for at least a week of solid rain, which almost amounts to the same thing.

Charles - that's a good point. You can really appreciate the square of Dane's images in the instructions, but you lose that when you have to scroll. I'll keep my posts for this theme smaller from now on.

[Grandpa]

Size issue noted. This one's at 720. Better?



Signa 120-300 w/1.4x TC (420mm), 1/800 @ F/5.6, ISO 200, monopod