Basic Composition Elements - Negative Space

When discussing the use of negative space in photographic composition, there is sometimes a mistaken concept that negative space equals an absence of content which, in turn, equals an absence of interest. This is not the case.

The purpose of negative space is to bring about a clarity to the subject by placing a stronger emphasis on that subject. This, in turn, can affect the emotional and conceptual narrative of the image. Notice that the negative space is not always "empty" but is subservient to the main subject.

In the above image of the Great Wall of China, the atmospheric perspective on the mountains in the distance as they blend into the sky creates a neutral background that isolates and emphasizes the portion of the wall as it juts into the negative space.

In the above image of a lone tree at sunrise on Dafuskie Island, the plain, cloudless sky acts as the negative space isolating this semi-silhouette. The use of the Rule of Thirds also adds to the tension in the image and makes it a more interesting image than if I had come in tighter and centered the composition on the tree.

 

The image above was created as an advertisement for jewelry and the model was placed in the left-hand side of the image in order to create negative space for the graphic designer to later add copy, as common occurrence in creating imagery for ads.

 

 

In the image above, the hammock was deliberately placed in the lower quarter of the image which created additional sky at the top in order to add to the narrative of isolation and calm.

 

 

In the image above of a side street in McKinney, Texas, the white painted brick wall acts as the neutral background and negative space that isolates and emphasizes the parking sign and its shadow as well as the windows that hang suspended at the top of the image. The dark sidewalk, curb, and street act as a solid foundation for the image to rest upon and gives the image a structural balance.

 

 In the image above, the billboard was purposely surrounded by the empty sky in order to add to the narrative of decay and loneliness.

 

Another image (above) in which the narrative of isolation and clam is aided by the negative space of the sky and sandy beach surrounding the palm trees and the lone bench.

 

In this image of the Statue of Liberty, the strength of the many diagonal leading lines in the composition is aided by the negative space of the cloudy skies.