Why I choose to be square.
By Stef LePape
17 Jun 2010
Growing up, photography was a medium way out of my league; financially. So--when on rare occasions I found myself having the ability to take a photo or two--need I say how thrilled I was. The envy I felt of those who possessed that strange apparatus took a momentary backseat.
When a friend of mine gave me my first camera---I found myself having the ability to freeze frame the moments that would incite aspirations for paintings.
I never considered photography a medium for expression--for me at least.
Until--with the passing of time--I began to sort of fall in love with the results of exposed imagery. In particularly the ability to create double exposures--often by accident.
Anyway--the reason for this essay isn't about the history of my eyes--but why --over the development of time--and the digital era--I opt for certain post-editing processes.
When I first started using a digital camera --which was about 2005---I really did not take to it.
It gave the ability to over do the snap and point --I mean point and shoot.
Film affords more conscientiousness about what one is using their precious film on.
When I would see the results of the pixelation of my eyes--I sort of leaned towards being a purist. Any post editing processes were cheating the medium. Discrediting any true ability or eye for photography.
Yes---being an idealist affords strong principles to live up to.
But--as most folks eventually cut their hair--we sort of come to a more balanced approach towards our ideology.
The end result for photography as art--is to create an image that projects the visionary creation of ones mind.
The end result is to be a framed or unframed presentation --a 3dimensional reality.
So a person really needs to give thought to composition...yes...preferably when shooting...but what of certain photos that just dont feel right?
Should we forfeit them because they lack the right edge?
I would have--as you will note in the comparison photos.
Yes--Squares can be overdone and an easy way out of bad framing--but they can also allow someone to play alittle with their work.
Too--Is is wrong to re-size a geometric image?
Is that cheating?
I thought so for the longest time--OK--for three years.
But--I have readjusted my thinking ...
Yes--I have re-sized my pixels.
Do I know what I am talking about? ( big shrug here)
All I can say--is I know what I am looking at.
And while my appreciator for film and usage of it--will never die...I will allow myself to have fun with my pixels.
In the past three years--I have learned alot about the manual functions of a camera...having purchased a DSLR.
If any post processing is done...I will claim it--state it...as I am still an idealist in speaking trust and call a true square- for what it is.
Looking back at what I shared here--I can see so many errors of bad post processing. It feels good to progress in ones efforts.
To know what to do and what not to do...
I am so happy to have received as a gift a 50mm lens to create authentic blur!...yummy abstractions for days...
But I digress....
Back to the square.
3 responses
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Maura Wolfson-Foster gave props (17 Jun 2010):
enthusiastic vote! - informative and very well illustrated. Thank you.
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Swapnil Acharya (Deleted) gave props (17 Jun 2010):
this is an excellent documentation. thanks for sharing! :D
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Paul Lavallee gave props (18 Jun 2010):
Love these!
