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As you improve as a photographer and spend more time studying the methods, techniques and underlying principles, the more you also realise that the impact of great photos is largely based on the raw emotional and unspoken content of the image that speaks not only to the conscious mind but also the subconscious mind.
Of course a clear composition, good use of the camera’s tools such as the aperture, ISO and shutter speed settings are all important to produce a great photo, but so are far more abstract concepts such as the ‘use of space’.
So what is the difference between positive and negative space in photography?
In any photo there is a mixture of positive and negative space. The concepts can be difficult to understand at first although once you see it then it becomes more obvious how to use it.
In a photograph the positive space is made up of the elements in the image that attract the viewer’s eye. In almost all cases, the positive space is the subject of the image and is what jumps out at the audience. This can be an area of detail, the person in a portrait and generally speaking, the main subject of the photo regardless of what it is.
The negative space in a photograph are the parts of the image that are not the subject of focus and don’t draw the eye of the viewer. The parts of the image that surround the subject are part of the negative space in the photo which would usually include the background and other empty spaces.
However, despite being less immediately noticeable than the positive space, the negative space in a photo plays an extremely important role in the overall composition. The negative space helps to define the subject of the photo and provides a context that is essential to create a strong narrative within the image. The negative space in the photo builds up atmosphere and a more powerful subconscious or emotional response from your audience which will help to make the image more memorable, striking and unique.
Equal attention should be paid to both positive and negative space and particularly the interplay between the two. If you get this wrong then the photo just ‘won’t work’ but if you get it right you can create the real magic that great photography is made of!
Studying the Relationship Between Positive and Negative Space in Photography.
In order to understand the interplay between the positive and negative spaces in images we can study some examples of the two in use in some powerful and effective photographs.
Example of Positive and Negative Space: Statue of Queen Victoria.
In this powerful photograph of a statue of Queen Victoria in the United Kingdom the photographer has used the negative space to emphasize the feelings of authority and dominance that the statue portrays to the viewer. The negative space in this image is the sky in the background and the positive space is the statue reaching up towards it.
The negative space behind the statue draws the eye towards the center of the statue onto the face of Queen Victoria. The photographer has used the natural leading lines of the statue towering into the sky to draw the viewer’s eyes up into the negative space of the sky in the background.
Example of Extreme Use of Positive Space: Beach Town of Mijas, Spain.
This picture of the rooftops of the beach town of Mijas in Spain is a classic example of the extreme use of positive space in photography. The entire picture is full of details and points of interest, all of which classify as positive space. This is a difficult technique to get right without drowning the picture in too many details, but in this case the totality of the positive space in the image is the precise point of the photo. The photo feels cluttered at first but then we begin to see the leading lines of the rows of houses that begin to bring some order to the chaos. The photo feels fun and bright which is exactly how the beach town of Mijas in Spain is; and so the photo really captures the essence of the place by using extreme positive space.
Example of the use of negative space in a minimalist photo.
In this minimalist photo almost the entire image is made up of negative space that fades away into the distance. This is a common practice in minimalist photography and is a difficult technique to master. The beach in the foreground is only distinguished from the sky in the background by a subtle area of positive space that is created by the horizon and the land in the far distance. The main points of positive space are the tiny boat that appears to be beached on the shore in the center with a figure walking towards it across the empty beach. This is a fantastic example of how a photographer can use negative space to create atmosphere and pathos in the image.
Using Positive and Negative Space to Give Your Photography More Resonance.
Understanding and using positive and negative space within your photography will take a little practise but once you master the concept and start to use it effectively your work will begin to have a deeper resonance with your viewers.
Remember to combine the positive and negative space in your images in conjunction with a range of effective compositional techniques such as the rule of thirds, the use of leading lines and even the golden ratio. This will allow your use of space to have the maximum impact on your audiences and create strong narratives in your work.
Do you use positive and negative spaces in your photographs?
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