Wednesday, December 9, 2009

The Appeal of the Square Format...

I see things first and foremost through the eyes of a designer. If I were to paint, I would be an abstract painter – reducing the natural world around me to the most basic elements of shape, color, texture, and composition. I suspect this is also why I am attracted to the square format in my photography work. The unity and cohesiveness of the equal sides suggests the image is but a unit of a larger whole. We experience our environment through a series of basic sensory interactions, which our mind then combines to create an overall feeling. However, we are only able to consciously focus on one interaction at a time. Thus, the square format is a good way to show a glimpse of awareness – as demonstrated in this image of a barn window. The blackness of the window panes, the one long bleached board, the dried winter weeds and the knotty texture of the wood are but small details of the barn itself (see the full barn image posted below.) Yet the basic elements of shape, color, texture and composition are so rich...

1 comment:

CONEFLOWER said...

I also love the iridescent patina on the old boards. I love anything old and weathered (funny that doesn't seem to apply to my reflection in the mirror. Heh!). They speak to a glory of days gone by and awaken my imagination.

This photo is lovely, square or not, but I do see what you mean about the square within squares. Very interesting.

When I photograph, I never seem to plan what I'll be shooting. I just walk along and something will grab me and not let me go until I take several photographs of it.