Composition with square format

[ndwgolf]

Question,
When shooting medium format 6 x 6 where is the best place to have the model..........centre, off to the side or either or ??

 

[ianp5a]

Do you expect to crop it later or leave it square? If you don't want to crop, then the models position becomes an aesthetic choice. If you crop, leave enough space either side to allow a decision later.

 

[Kodiak Qc]

•

My medium format cameras were 6x4,5 and
6x7 in one system and 6x9 with the other as I
preferred the rectangles but the problematic
is always the same.

This is a balance act within the frame mainly
determined by two factors: what is needed (if
you work with an AD) vs what is wanted which
is solely your creativity and taste.

Aesthetics is the only rule or law and these are
subjectives. The rule of thirds is not a law and
many square format users blessed the solidity
of the well constructed frames, centred or not,
offered on the 120 / 220 strip.

 

[ndwgolf]

Do you expect to crop it later or leave it square? If you don't want to crop, then the models position becomes an aesthetic choice. If you crop, leave enough space either side to allow a decision later.

Leave it square

 

[Phil V]

The square format lends itself to a central composition, it works less well with the rule of 3rds and other shapes. Google some of the masters of the format.

 

[ndwgolf]

The square format lends itself to a central composition, it works less well with the rule of 3rds and other shapes. Google some of the masters of the format.

I agree with all the other comments about however your eye sees the picture. And looking at some great 6 x 6 I tend to agree with you Phil central seems to be the go

 

[Blank_Canvas]

There is no doctrine to say that anybody must shoot using the 'rule of the thirds' the key to 'any' format is balance (not necessarily dead centre) An interesting read is Josef Albers' "Homage to the Square" But in addition, try experimenting with 6 x 6 format on an iPhone, Instagram or any other Camera App.

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

In the days that we used rolleiflexes and other square format cameras, we almost never composed our shots as a square. Mostly they were thought of as 5x4 proportioned format so as to print on 10x8 paper.
I always blanked out the corners on my screens to give both portrait and landscape guides.( both can be taken with out turning the camera, a distinct advantage over a 6x4.5 film reflex.)
composition of a real scene is about selection and viewpoint, mostly there is little you can do to organise what is infront of you. But you can select the best position and crop.

 

[Sejanus Aelianus]

I went through a phase in the early 'seventies of composing square on my Rollei. It was strange how many showings I got that were printed square, local newspaper subs in my part of the world being no respecters of a freelance's "artistry". I never found out if that was deliberate or just laziness on the subs part.

When I became an editor myself, I conceived a great dislike of "arty" prints and anything not 10x8 went straight on the spike.

Go figure!

 

[juggler]

The square format lends itself to a central composition, it works less well with the rule of 3rds and other shapes. Google some of the masters of the format.

+1. I tend to think square also works well with an even number of subjects, as opposed to the 'rule of odds'.