In Praise of Square Pictures: Printing Square Photos, Albums, Cards and Displays

Some of us are old enough to remember the square format Kodak 120 film.  Indeed it remained a professional favourite for many years – and there are still enthusiasts.  It was introduced by Kodak in 1901.  This 56mm (2.2inch) square format was originally intended for amateur photography but was later superseded in this role by 127 and then 35mm film. 120 film and its close relative, double length 220 film, survive to this day as the only medium format films that are readily available to both professionals and amateur enthusiasts.

Square pictures are certainly not dead.  In today’s paper (Telegraph) 15 pictures were square (including the key one on the front page (two Red Arrows colliding). 

The square has a meaning too:  dependability, fairness and honesty.  It is not surprising that Roman streets and cities were square – to be repeated in 16^th century Germany (e.g. Mannheim) and the layout of American cities and land later.  Not surprising the bible says that the ‘new Jerusalem’ will be square. 

Many photo service companies such as Photobox offer square prints as an option.  They would not do so if there was not a demand.  Square frames are readily available on the internet.

Square pages remain popular for photo albums, 12x12 inch (30x30xcm) being the most common.  For scrapbooking smaller sizes such as 8 inch (20cm) and for pocket use 5in (12.5cm) and 3.5in (9cm) are found.

For displays square canvas mounts are available – 12” (30cm) and 20” (50cm) being available from You-Frame and others  Soon they will be available from our parnter Jetmaster..

It would seem a pity that square photo paper is not readily available.  Of course you can always guillotine your own paper – but ready cut would be preferable unless you are just producing a half dozen or so pictures.    To this end OPUSalbums.com, a web supplier of digital photo papers, software and albums has introduced a range of square papers and greeting cards stock in its “Photo Paper as you want it” programme.   

For albums, photo books and scrapbooks pages may be scored and punched.

For square greeting cards, of course sizes are double the normal with a centre fold.  5in, 6in and 8in (12.5cm, 15cm and 20cm) sizes being listed in the catalogue. 

More information can be found on the OPUSalbums.com site at www.opusalbums.com/squarepaper