Negative Space in Photography

PHOTO CHALLENGE | Explore the scenes around you to find negative space to frame a subject. Using micro and macro scenes, you can compose an image near or far to offer a unique comparison between the subject and the area surrounding it. Remember that negative space doesn’t necessarily mean blank or void of color.

Thinking in terms of negative (and positive space) forces you to see composition in its entirety. The positive space will be your subject and negative space will be the area around it, a juxtaposition, or contrast, between the two.

When thinking in these terms, you’re forced to see the periphery in the scene you’re composing, thus developing the strongest sense of intention and awareness.

Here are some tips to get you started:

• Use the rule of thirds | According to the rule of thirds, your subject should go at a point where the lines intersect.

Negative space exists to define the object, use it as a tool to draw you in. This can be a minimal scene or a specific landscape, styled scene, or other intentional format that supports the subject.

• Contrast | Showing the difference in size is the primary means of juxtaposition in an image, but you can use light, elements of weather or nature, or use of a specific subject to enhance negative space.

• Emotion | Often times negative space offers a sense of calm or quiet in a photo. You can bring a lot of feeling/emotion to an image by the type/space/sense of negative space surrounding the positive space.

• Negative Space Doesn’t Have to Be Empty | Motion is a really fun option for filling negative space, but you can also consider leading lines, color, pattern, and light to draw you into the subject.

• Points of View | Look for ways to isolate, frame, and/or contrast your subject.

• Practice | The more you work at composing your images, the better you’ll get at seeing from edge to edge of the frame.