HOW TO USE NEGATIVE SPACE IN PHOTOGRAPHY

NEGATIVE SPACE IN PHOTOGRAPHY EXAMPLES

Negative space – what is it? When a photographer wants to create a good picture, he should think about a lot of things. Composition, conception, light… So, every photographer constantly is looking for something new, and, yes, in 100th time reads about Golden ratio. But the most important thing is a center of composition. The right organization of a center of composition and background provides good solution for both composition and conception.

Background around compositional center

Negative space is called a space that is around the main object on a photo. And that negative space (background) need not be empty or simple (one-colored). So, on the other hand, the positive space – is a visual center, the main object. It is obvious that the visual center should contrast and attract.

HOW TO USE NEGATIVE SPACE IN PHOTOGRAPHY — *Xenia Shabanova*. RUNNER UP
*International Wedding Photographer of the Year*

Dramatic photography

In order to make a photo more dramatic, increase the intensity of emotions, and make the shot more interesting, a skillful combination of negative and positive space can be used. The main subject is isolated, which contrasts with a larger amount of negative space. This creates additional drama in the shot. This technique is used not only in graphic design and photography, but also in videography (I remember a moment from Slipknot’s “Vermillion” music video very well) and in cinema.

How to use it?

If a photographer wants to use negative space, he should use right proportion. Positive space takes less place than negative. So, that Little-Big contrast creates a dramatic effect. Using this trick, we can increase the emotions of photographs, outline the importance.

Using negative space can expressively and gracefully, and most importantly “loudly” show the main thing – emotion. A smile, a sense of magic, a feeling of loneliness – everything you want to convey with your photos. Negative space and its skillful use will elevate your photography skills to a new level and help you easily solve artistic challenges in photography.