Shooting 1:1 in Warabi
Shooting 1:1/square format challenge.
What is a 1:1 ratio?
Most cameras have a rectangular image sensor/film plane. Some films cameras and many digital cameras will allow you to shoot in a 1:1 ratio, a square. The verticle side will always be equal to the horizontal side, regardless of the orientation of your camera.
Look through the contact sheets below. Each shot on my Warabi project today was captured in a 1:1 ratio.
How do you shoot in 1:1 on a digital camera?
Most cameras allow image capture in multiple aspect ratios. My fuji camera can shoot in the standard 3:2, 16:9, and 1:1 ratios. It is as simple as navigating to image size in the menu and selecting the correct ratio. The Fuji X100 will create a square in the viewfinder to indicate the frame. It actually records the entire frame, allowing for adjustment in post-production.
Why shoot in a 1:1 ratio?
Embracing the difficulty sharpens the creative edge. In order to become the best street photographer, I can be, accepting that some days are practice is an important lesson. This was a practice day.
Above is the main reason I shoot 1:1. Some other reasons come to mind: 1:1 project, learning 1:1, breaking a rut, breaking comfort, or just for fun. I would suggest all of these for growth in your street photography.
The standout
This was the only image I particularly liked from the morning in Warabi.
Where is Warabi?
Warabi is a small city just on the outskirts of Tokyo. It is largely free of gentrification, oozing character.
