The Square Format

[Marko]

May I ask, how large do you print these images (6x6 scanned on v700) ?

Not large at all, I usually make them fit to an 8x10 piece of paper.

[John Voss]

I love square format and often crop to it regardless of the origin of the negative. This one is from a 4x5 negative made with a 250mm Fujinon lens.

[Dennis]

I work in square a lot because I love my Rolleiflex. But truthfully I wish my Rollei shot 6x7 because I get really tired of square.
Regarding the centering of composition, I also feel the pull of the center due to the strength of the corners converging right in the center and it is hard to pull away from that.
Regarding Michael Kenna, if you look closely at his work you will see that he very often, maybe usually, crops out of square. He does it only slightly but enough to subtly make the image feel more vertical or more horizontal. I think his use of the near square juxtaposed with the square is very powerful.
Dennis

[Roger Cole]

I work in square a lot because I love my Rolleiflex. But truthfully I wish my Rollei shot 6x7 because I get really tired of square.
Regarding the centering of composition, I also feel the pull of the center due to the strength of the corners converging right in the center and it is hard to pull away from that.
Regarding Michael Kenna, if you look closely at his work you will see that he very often, maybe usually, crops out of square. He does it only slightly but enough to subtly make the image feel more vertical or more horizontal. I think his use of the near square juxtaposed with the square is very powerful.
Dennis

So how about putting some fine removable (dry erase maybe?) crop marks on the ground glass indicating both vertical and horizontal 6x4.5 (or 6x4 or whatever ratio you prefer, but to keep with the "wish it shot 6x7" theme) and compose using those, with the added bonus of not needing to turn the camera?

6x4.5 isn't 6x7 in terms of negative area of course, but at most normal sizes of enlargement it isn't going to make much difference with modern film.

[Dennis]

So how about putting some fine removable (dry erase maybe?) crop marks on the ground glass indicating both vertical and horizontal 6x4.5 (or 6x4 or whatever ratio you prefer, but to keep with the "wish it shot 6x7" theme) and compose using those, with the added bonus of not needing to turn the camera?

6x4.5 isn't 6x7 in terms of negative area of course, but at most normal sizes of enlargement it isn't going to make much difference with modern film.

My brain doesn't work that way. I compose with the most image area the camera will give me.
Dennis

[Vaughn]

I love square format and often crop to it regardless of the origin of the negative.

Quite a lovely image, John.

[John Voss]

Quite a lovely image, John.

Thank you, Vaughn.

[Richard A Johnson]

To John & Vaughn, wonderful images. I'm beginning to see how this square composition works.

Richard Johnson

[rguinter]

I crop one square every now and then.

Bob G.

[James Hilton]

May I ask, how large do you print these images (6x6 scanned on v700) ?

If it is of interest, I've done 24"x24" from a Mamiya C330 using FP4+, scanned using my V700 and then printed on an Epson 7880. I found no issues with the scanner or its output when printing at that size.