My time to get away and explore is often between shifts at the fire department.
One of those days was on a recent Sunday. After my 24-hour shift, I set off for the Olympic Peninsula. I stopped for a quick nap and early dinner near Hoodsport, Washington, then drove to Lake Cushman.
I made a few stops for photos along the north shore of Lake Cushman. It was a misty day with low-hanging clouds, perfect conditions for capturing the mountains and valleys across the lake.
As I began the day, I decided to self-impose a limitation for my photo. I would compose and shoot all the images in a square aspect in black and white.
I like the square format for several reasons. First, the square aspect ratio gives a vintage feel to my photos, considering many old camera systems used this format. Additionally, the square image simplifies an otherwise chaotic scene. It’s easy to include too much in the frame, and the square allows me to focus primarily on the subject.
Placing limitations on my photography also helps my creativity. It forces me to think differently to achieve my goal.
