Square cut images, or images in the 1:1 aspect ratio, which seems to have gained renewed popularity in photography, with new avenues for compositional opportunities and creative freedom, is also the current favor of social media platforms like Instagram where the image will fill the picture frame no matter the orientation of the device. The format has been with us since the days of the Rolleiflex, a medium format twin lens reflex (TLR) camera introduced in the 1930s, with images captured in 6x6cm format on 120 or 220 rolls of color or black and white film.
The format gained popularity with follow-up editions of medium format cameras from Hasselblad, Holga, Polaroid, Kodak, and others. On the 35mm film format, the only known film cameras with a square format are the Lomo'Instant Square Glass, and the Blackbird Fly, which comes with the option of setting image frames for standard 35mm (24mm x 36mm), square format (24mm x 24mm), or full frame with sprocket holes.
On digital cameras with multiple aspect formats, the ratio is available as a frameset option, while on cameras without, the image can be edited in-camera or cropped during post-processing. For social media interaction, smartphones have dedicated apps that allow images to be shot and edited to the 1:1 aspect and shared instantly.
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Different from the rectangular frame, where the eye moves from side to side in the landscape format, or up and down in the portrait format, the square frame encourages the eye to move around in a circular motion within the frame.
The neutral shape of the square emancipates a sense of calm and stability and enhances viewer engagement. The lack of directional bias allows for a more immersive exploration of the image, encouraging viewers to appreciate all elements within the frame rather than being pulled toward a dominant direction.
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The square format does not take too easily to the rule of thirds. For a strong composition place the subject in the center of the frame. The fewer distractions within the frame, the more effective the composition. If the subject has a strong shape, the empty space around it will emphasize the shape, and the square format is the perfect, balanced frame.
A more creative atmosphere or emphasis can be achieved by including negative space around the subject. Negative space is the term used to describe the empty space in an image around the subject, which can be difficult to do when you are on a rectangular frame, yet effective in the square format.
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A simple adage about shooting in 1:1 format is that it does not require the camera to be held in any other way than the normal upright position, as it is supposed to be. This can speed up shooting and reduce the complexity of framing shots, and images can be easily cropped post-shooting into other formats without losing significant detail or quality.
Any apprehension about images or the composition being cropped too tight is equally easy to re-edit with the image given a smaller or larger crop or magnification ratio without loss of visual impact.
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The square cut, which plays a significant role in the development of photography, is still valuable today as a practical tool for photographers seeking to explore distinct areas of composition and creativity.
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