Harris Squares - Part 1 (Scotland 2013)

Swapping the camera settings to a square format is one way to change your point of view when taking photographs, particularly when dealing with abstract or close-up work. It allows the main subject to be centred in the frame which often looks uncomfortable in other formats and it is also easier to shift composition to the off-centre thirds with just small change of the camera angle. 

Using the square format was something that I started doing on the Scotland trip in 2013. It helped me expand the range of subjects and photographic interests, having been primarily landscape focused. I found a new sense of expressive freedom from handholding a compact camera that remains with me today.

These days, however, I rarely switch to a square format at the capture stage and I prefer to crop my images as part of post processing. If I do want to compose in a square format I will take a duplicate JPEG and RAW file. This allows maximum flexibility as the RAW data remains unaltered from the camera’s native file size.

On reflection, I wish I had applied the duplicate process whilst taking the following set of images on the Isle of Harris. I can see some of the images working better in the standard format...although I do like the range of subjects that I covered:

Rose

Sand Patterns

Ropes, Nets, and Buoys

Rust

Kelly Gal

Upper Hexgreave (May 2020)

The footpath from Upper Hexgreave to Bilsthorpe is a circular walk via the Southwell Trail. It cuts across fields and the main A617 and I enjoy it for the open landscape and big skies. It is also a very quiet route and it is very unusual to meet anyone on the Upper Hexgreave path.

The photography on this walk was very simple, recording the line of the footpath, the crops in the field, the road, the clouds and the dryness underfoot. The Big & Fresh lorry seemed to capture the moment as I returned to local photography after the virus shutdown:

River Trent in Mono (May 2020)

I mentioned in my last post that I have set a short term goal of producing black and white images from local scenes. This is designed to kickstart some photographic creativity now the virus lockdown restrictions are easing and the initial 'glad to be out' feeling has turned to the 'what next for the photography' question. 

To scope the black and white idea a little further I did a test series using images from walks along the River Trent. These photographs were taken as a secondary activity to the walking and some 'plein air' sketching and painting. As a result, I might not have used them at all but was pleasantly surprised by the black and white conversions: