Lately I’ve been experimenting with some new formats with borrowed film cameras. I have particularly enjoyed the way these unfamiliar formats challenge me to compose in new ways with their new shapes. I have also realised another thing I like about them: they are not square.

Square is such an elegant format. I know some people love it, but I have always found it more of a challenge when it comes to composition. Perhaps I just can’t think in the right way. But I prefer a frame that is wider or taller than square. I used to be all about the squares, back in the summer of 2011. I shot squares on my husband’s Rollei, with my iPhone, and with my Lumix GH2, which has a square setting. But everything changed in early 2012 when I started shooting with my new 645 and 35mm cameras. The only time I think in squares these days is when I’m on Instagram.

Here are some images from my fellow Muses that demonstrate the power and simplicity of square format, in a variety of styles. From Hasselblad shots

lonely happy hour.
Cara

third pie down.
Cara

and Yashica shots

Untitled
Vanessa Simpson

to Polaroid

365 Impossible Self-Portraits : Day 44
Meghan

Bathing Beauty
Debra

to Instagram 

Thursday morning #vscocam
Nikki Gardner

Processed with VSCOcam with se3 presetHolly

13316444193_b28841d0dd_bVanessa Snow

square-jennyJenny

All these square formats means there are lots of ways to share your squares with us on Mortal Muses this month: in our Mobile Monday, Film Friday, Everyday Beauty and Theme Flickr pools. We can’t wait to see them all! I’m going to apply myself and try giving square format another go. I’ve even dusted off the Rollei and shot some film with it. It’s hip to be square!

img221v2 copy

Where do you stand when it comes to squareness? Tell us in the comments.

Kirstin