01 February 2006
Square is good
Both the Lubi and the Holga can produce 6cm x 6cm or 6cm x 6.45cm photos by way of a mask which is inserted in the camera before loading the film. 6x4.5 (or 645 as it's known) is similar to the 36mm x 24mm of 35mm photography. 6x6 is the familiar square shape produced by many medium format cameras, including twin lens reflexes like the Rolleiflex and Lubitel as well as classic Holga shots. Most people shoot 6x6 on Holga, partly because... Well, the photos are often blurry or surreal-looking and the archaic-seeming square format seems to add something to that.
But many people like square format. Square is interesting. You don't need to worry about whether the photograph should be in landscape or portrait mode. It can be easier to fill a square sometimes - it's good for full-on head and shoulders photos. But it can also be good for landscape, if you're that way inclined. Look at what Charlie Waite can do with square format. You can shoot squares at angles... It's an interesting diversion from rectangular photos. It's not the best photo - and it'd be interesting to try the same thing with a wide-angle lens - but I like this shot of my car.
I know I'm just rambling here, but I like these little square photos. They're fun.
But many people like square format. Square is interesting. You don't need to worry about whether the photograph should be in landscape or portrait mode. It can be easier to fill a square sometimes - it's good for full-on head and shoulders photos. But it can also be good for landscape, if you're that way inclined. Look at what Charlie Waite can do with square format. You can shoot squares at angles... It's an interesting diversion from rectangular photos. It's not the best photo - and it'd be interesting to try the same thing with a wide-angle lens - but I like this shot of my car.
I know I'm just rambling here, but I like these little square photos. They're fun.
# posted by Joe Tarrant @ Wednesday, February 01, 2006 
