When Is a Square Crop Appropriate?

[Chip]

I'm having a hard time understanding when a square crop should or could be used.

For this "water drop" shot below, a square crop looked the best to me of all the other crops (landscape and portrait) that I tried. Is this a good use of that crop?

Also, I've seen sites stating the general rule that working with square film or a sqare crop is hard, but I haven't yet seen any good guideline for when or how to use it. Any thoughts and insights would be appreciated.

Thanks.

[jiminyClickit]

Chip,

You're in "Opinion Country," probably why the rules aren't carved in stone. Flickr has 200,000+ photos in a group here:

http://www.flickr.com/groups/squareformat/

If you look through enough of these, you'll begin to see it isn't much different from non-square. Circular subjects (notably blooms, containers, animal faces) seem obvious choices, but this group just puts anything that they believe looks good in a square.

I have about 75% square crops on Flickr, mostly Macros that just seem to fit squarely with my subjects. You can also rotate a square and stack it with other squares without any worry about aspect or orientation.

I'd likely crop your faucet in portrait, and might have taken the shot so the drop and spout were about 30 degrees turned to the left, leaving some oval shape to the handle. And that's how it goes. We make our choices based on opinion most of the time. I like square, so my answer is more positive. (I might also square crop your faucet much closer so the round handle is more "circle-in-a-box."

You can still use the rule of thirds and most other compositional suggestions, including diagonals being more interesting. The faucet seems to enjoy the verticality of reality; flower stems like a good diagonal. More opinion.

[Nathan deGargoyle]

A square crop is appropriate whenever you think it is.

You're the artist. If you like it that's how it should be.

[dlaf]

Hi Chip,

I agree with jC and Nathan in that it's all in what you like. I've noticed myself cropping into squares with alot of shots lately. Some of my best friends are squares shots. Also am doing more 8x10 (whatever the ratio is).

Hope you don't mind that I recropped your shot to 8x10 ratio putting the faucet knob center at the upper left third. Nice shot you got there, btw! Love that crisp, clear drop with lovely blues in the background.

Debbie

From DPS Posts

[Chip]

jiminyClikit - Many thanks for the explanation and suggestions. I'll try to take this all into account and get a better feel for this new (to me) way to crop.

And since I can re-shoot this photo, I'll definitely keep your critique in mind on my next trip to this spot.

Nathan - Thank you for the reminder. It is appreciated.

Debbie - Great job with your crop. Thanks! And I'm pleased that you liked the shot.

[wulf]

I don't think the square crop is the best option for the photo given in the first post because it leaves so much empty space around the subject. Debbie gives a good alternative.

Here is another:



I've indicated how this fits a thirds grid. This comes much closer - taking a fresh picture, getting even nearer might be good. However, as Nathan said, it all about making a choice yourself. Try taking a series of photos with square framing in mind to develop your ability to see when it is a good option.

Wulf

[Chip]

Thank you, Wulf. Your crop is a good one.

When I go back to re-shoot, I'll take my zoom, and not the 105mm I had the first time.

I'm in need of developing a better "eye" for what looks right in photos. I'll keep working.

Thanks again.

[Jim Poor]

Lee Anderson works exclusively in square format. His stuff is really great. http://www.photolee.com/

[Mr Guy]

Personally, about the only time I crop square is for diagonal subjects that just seem to lend themselves to me.

I'm linking to an example because it's more PG-13 than G rated. Here. I like squares when the subject fills the square better than another shape.

[Jim Bryant]

A good rule is always crop of impact. You can do this in the camera, but remember to shoot looser photos as well. never know who'll like what version. To me too much space will distract and take away from your photo and will make the water drop smaller. Here's my cropped version, so your eye will go directly to the hanging waterdrop.