This article has been updated by Andrew S Gibson and Darren Rowse in December 2023.
What is so special about square photography? How can square compositions improve your photography?
I am a big fan of 1:1 aspect ratio. I use it almost every time I take a picture! In this article, I will explain why shooting square is a good idea. I will also show you how to use a square aspect proportion.
You’ll have a better understanding of the importance of square photography and be able to take some amazing square photos!
Let’s get started.
Square versus rectangular photography
Each photo aspect proportion, such as square, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 and more, offers a slightly unique view of the world.
These different perspectives lend themselves to a variety of compositions.
Composition in a square (1:1) frame is a completely different process than composition using a 3:2 or a 4:3 standard rectangular frame.
Is a square format better than a wide format? No, absolutely not. You may want to use a different format at times, such as a 16:9 or 3:2 (especially if you are dealing with wide or long scenes).
The square format has been very popular with photographers. I recommend that you keep this in mind whenever you are out taking pictures.
We’ll start by looking at the reasons why this format is so popular.
1. Square compositions are characterized by balance and flow
A square has a perfect balance. Each side has the same length. The horizontal or vertical direction is not emphasized.
Why is this important? In a rectangular format, the eye of the viewer is encouraged to move side-to-side (in landscape format) or upwards and downwards (in portrait format).
In a square, where all sides are equal, the eye of the viewer is encouraged to move not side-to-side or up-and down, but rather in a circular. It creates flow which is always good for photography.
There are many things that can influence how the eye moves in a photograph, such as the use of line and texture. Other factors include color, selective focus, negative space, and the use line . The shape of the frame plays a big role.
