Negative and Positive Space Using negative space to make dynamic photos

Often as photographers we spend a lot of time thinking about the subjects that we’re photographing – posing portrait subjects, positioning them in the shot, getting them exposed correctly etc. However the space around your main subject is just as important – in fact it can make or break your image.

Negative space can bring a sense of balance to your image, it can strengthen composition, it can help draw the eye to the subject and give it more power and it can add a lot of interest to your shot.

Sometimes it’s nice and refreshing to just strip a photo or scene down to it’s absolute bare essentials. Often times, you get too caught up in trying to fill every part of the frame with something interesting. The problem is, sometimes when we try to fill up the entire frame with objects, lines, people, shapes, etc, we actually overcomplicate things and leave the viewer wanting a place to rest their eyes.

The trick/secret is this: Negative space can be just as interesting in a photograph as anything else, if done right

Incorporating negative space into your images can be very rewarding, and at the same time quite challenging. Sometimes situations will present themselves where it’s clear. Other times you will have to get creative with a subject to find the proper framing to create this type of image. Here are a few examples of negative space and minimalism to get your creative juices flowing…

FOCUS ON Minimalism & Simplicity

Your Negative Space Shooting Assignment All 36 shots must have negative space as the main balance principle WHAT TO SHOOT: 12 shots that have parts of a building in it 12 shots that have people in it 12 shots that have objects in it

12 shots with buildings in it…

12 shots with people in it These can be looking down on someone, close up or far away

12 shots that have objects in it

Get creative, but keep it minimalistic! We will be using these images for darkroom printing as well as digital projects, so take your time and don’t rush this one! Walk around and find great buildings, Pose people and set up objects perfectly!