Methods of square photography composition

Introduction: Composing a picture in a square is inherently difficult? Looking at the history of art, excellent square works are rare compared to rectangles. There is not much difference between square photos and rectangular photos in most aspects (light, color). The only thing that may need attention is the composition. In rectangles, using the "rule of thirds" and the golden section can almost solve most composition problems. A typical example is "Dilstead" by Dutch landscape painter Jacob van Ruisdael. The Mill at Wijk near Duurstede.

The square is too difficult to balance, and there is often a feeling that no matter how the objects are placed, they are wrong. However, what is interesting is that many excellent abstract arts use squares as carriers, such as Mondrian's "Composition of the Three Primary Colors".

What does this difference mean for photography? In a rectangular composition, you can accommodate multiple composition elements at the same time, and it is easier to balance them. In a square composition, the classic "rule of thirds" may work, but it won't work that well. Squares can accommodate fewer compositional elements. It has an almost rigid sense of balance, which can be destroyed if you are not careful.

The next few tips are easy to understand. They also apply to rectangular photography, but are more important in squares.

1. Highlight the subject

Compared with the rectangle, the picture with a square composition is best to be concise and clear, with the subject prominent, making it easy for people to know where the line of sight should be. Moreover, if you are on Instagram, the medium for displaying photos is the mobile phone screen (it will be smaller when browsing using Grid), and it is easy for people to ignore what you are taking if there are too many things.

2. Blank space

A simple composition technique to keep the picture simple and the subject prominent is to leave a large area of ????blank space in the picture.

In fact, you can use an open composition more boldly in a square? Cut off part of the subject, destroy its integrity, and connect the frame with the outside space.

3. Symmetry

Since the square itself has a sense of balance, using symmetry is a very practical technique.

Another composition method that I like very much is 2x2.

I don’t agree that the square composition itself should be “symmetrical”. Unless symmetry is part of the idea you want to convey, and unless it makes the image more interesting to look at, don't center the subject. A little off center, placed on the edge of the frame, or even cropped out of part of the subject? There are many composition options for you to choose from. Placing it in the middle is indeed a trouble-free way of composition, but why must it be done?

4. Tilt

Since the balance of the square itself can easily become rigid, there are some problems Sometimes, you can tilt the elements in the picture to deliberately destroy the sense of balance. For example, I actually took a front view of this building.

But that would be boring, wouldn't it?