How to use negative space to improve your photography.
Negative space may sound scary, but you can use it to elevate your photography and create stunning work with a little practice. Here’s how.
Have you ever seen a photo where there was so much going on you weren’t sure where to look? Using negative space in your photography helps avoid this and draws the viewer’s eye toward the subject of your photo.
Negative space is the space around or between the subject of and the edge of an image. It makes the shape and size of the subject stand out and is a concept that has been used primarily in art and architecture for centuries.
Not only does negative space help direct the viewer’s eye to a particular spot, it can also help convey emotion. If you’re looking for a way to improve your composition, learning to use negative space may be the tool you’ve been searching for.
How to use negative space in photography.
To use negative space effectively, there needs to be a balance between the negative space and the subject (positive space) in your photo. This balance is what makes negative space so effective in drawing the eye to the subject.
Generally, the rule of thirds applies when balancing negative and positive space just like it does in composition. A 2:1 ratio of negative to positive space is a great place to start experimenting.
You can also use negative space to show movement and intention in your photo. For example, framing a photo with your subject on the edge of the frame can be a powerful tool. If your subject is exiting the frame, with lots of negative space behind them, the photo is likely to feel more urgent and fast-paced. Conversely, if your subject is entering the frame, the addition of negative space can create an open, unhurried feeling to your shot.
Don’t be afraid to get creative with the type of negative space you use. It doesn’t always have to be an open sky or blank wall.
Is negative space always empty space?
No, negative space doesn’t have to be just a blank area or an area of only one color. The area surrounding the subject can have textures, colors, or patterns — almost anything as long as it doesn’t detract from the main subject. It helps if the objects in the negative space are consistent with each other and different from the subject.
Think of a person walking up a flight of stairs. The stairs are all the same shape and color, which allows the person to stand out. Using a shallow depth of field to blur the background is another way of creating negative space.
Negative space enhances the subject of a photograph and helps an image tell a story. The more you practice using negative space in your composition, the easier it will become.