There is something about a square format for photography and art that really appeals to me. I often work on a square canvas and can spend hours editing compositions. In fact I have a hard time going anywhere without looking at everything as a potential composition. This can be a bit of a challenge when driving but it’s just the way I think, I’m very visual. The more time I spend drawing, painting and making photographs the more I think about these details. I can’t stop looking.
All images © Karen McRae
draw and shoot 
Composition is everything to me. 🙂 So I’m glad you think it’s important too, Karen. 🙂
it’s all in the details! 🙂
I so understand this Karen as I am the same; there is a photo absolutely everywhere..
Every day I drive alongside a river on my way to work. There is nowhere to stop the car ( it’s a very dangerous piece of road) and almost every day there is something along that stretch that I want to photograph… light on the water, ice, a pair of flying herons ( rare to see 2) today with a huge red sun behind them just peeking over the horizon ( I usually avoid sunset/sunrises as being a bit samey but would have made an exception for this one !)
It drives me crazy!
I have found myself in that situation over and over again!
I really like the third and fourth one.
These are some beautiful photos!!
Thank you!
Normally photographer doesn’t talk about [composition] because it is the default of the photography. Unlike free drawing, photographer can’t [position] a subject with free will = just walking around and find the best [shooting position] —– otherwise photo become just a mess.
This subconscious action to find the best, makes [the photography].
and that was why on 60s, un-intentional photography became a fashion.
(random or even unfocused photo)
I’m a bit sentimental to the scape you captured.
I love your insights Yoshi!
Yeah, I’m with you on this one. Photos are everywhere. I sometimes wish I could turn it off and just walk down the street. 🙂
I understand. Completely. The last image is especially arresting-a still from a dance.
Gorgeous shots. Love.
Thanks Brian, I’m happy to discover your blog!
The square image format is one that we don’t see as often as we probably should. I love these images; the monochrome suits the subjects, and fits nicely with the square format. Cheers!
I can’t stop looking at 5 🙂
Karen, I love these shots (esp the third one. it could have been photographed in a desert – it has that ‘dry look’). Though what I appreciate the most, is your dedication to composition. It’s very inspiring, especially for someone like me who feels like they are on ‘fast-forward’ a lot of the time. Thank you for showing us what comes from patience!
Oh thanks Marina! 🙂
Beautiful compositions, Karen. I just loved the composition5. It has hypnotized me 😉 🙂
Oh yay, I think it’s the first time I have hypnotized anyone. 🙂
😀
A wonderful set of images, esp first 2. I prefer the square format as well and the one thing that improved my image making was buying a very traditional giude to composition in art by Henry Rankin Poore. I should spend more time composing pictures but I usually have 2 small children and a dog in tow!
Oh gosh Karl you have an amazing eye! I LOVE your compositions.
(The first 2 are my favourite also, funny you’re the first to comment on those images. I like the delicacy of them)
hey talented!
your photography is just flawless.
its making me love nature!
visit my blog too when ever you like ..
-God bless 🙂
Thanks so much blink!
Ah, another member of the Can’t Stop Looking Club. My digital sensor, like most, is rectangular, but I sometimes like to crop images to make them square or close to square. One example:
http://portraitsofwildflowers.wordpress.com/2011/12/19/greenbrier-in-autumn-part-2/
Tangential question: why are avatar images always square? I don’t think that ever struck me till I read your comments on a square format just now.
Lovely photograph! Thanks for the link.
Perhaps avatars are square for economical reasons, they take up less space?
You’re welcome. As for avatars, you make a good point: of all rectangles, the square gives the most area for a given perimeter (so says the once-upon-a-time math teacher).
Reason why Hasselbrad used to be the camera for professionals was,
not only its quality but its square format of 6×6 on 120/220 film.
It was for the convenience of the editors = larger images are easy for
them to select, and square format can be trimmed to vertical or horizontal
to fit to a space in the pages by their convenience.
It was an harsh reality to work for the assignments of editorial photography.
Lovely photos. Cheers 🙂
Thank you and I’m glad you stopped by. 🙂
These are lovely Karen! I don’t often crop square, but that’s mainly because I’m in the (lazy) habit of keeping everything 3×2 (or cropping any 4×3 images to 3×2). When I do take the time to consider square crops I usually like the results, there’s something about cropping out some of the story, as it were, that adds interest or intrigue.
Thanks Mufidah. I doubt it’s laziness! There’s nothing wrong with rectangles!
Love the composition…and the moody effect created by the silhouettes of bare trees.
You do seem very strong on details 🙂 All of these photos are packed with detail in the very best ways, including the square crop.
Karen – Great photos but I really love the second last one – really moody sky and great tree detail!
Cheers
John
Yes, composition is the base. And the square format has its own “charme” . This is why I oft go back to my (father’s) Rolleiflex!
robert
PS: Love the tones in these photos.