5 Powerful Tips to use Negative Space in Photography

Have you ever wondered how one can create magnificent photos when the subject takes so little space in the frame? Well, they created it by using Negative Space, it’s a very powerful composition technique that is used in photography to draw the attention of the users towards the main subject.

The use of Negative Space in the photographs creates a sense of poise and balance. And this is what you will learn in this very article.

So, without further delays, let’s begin with its definition.

What is Negative Space in Photography?

To know or understand the concept of Negative Space, you need to understand what Positive Space is. Positive Space is the main subject in your image or the focal point of your photographs. Whereas, Negative Space is the surrounding area around your main subject. It is the correct relationship between the focus point and the remaining background.

Does Negative Space always have to be Empty?

Whenever it comes to Negative Space, people wonder about space, and large plain areas such as sky, grass, or water. Well, this is how Negative space is used often. But to your surprise, this is not the only way how it works.

The negative space in the photographs does not always have to be a plain space or blank area. There can be other supporting elements in the photographs, but they are not the main subjects. Normally, a negative space image occurred when the surrounding area and its subject are peripheral and well blended to the background. Which causes the viewers to look at the main subject even more.

There will be other elements in the background of an image, but it doesn’t quite draw your attention. Instead, they help or push the viewer’s eyes to the area of the main subject first.

So, how do you click such images, that helps viewers to stick on their main subject? Let’s dig into some powerful tips to use Negative space in photography.

Negative space to draw viewers eye

The use of Negative space in photography emphasizes and explains the true nature of the main subject. It helps viewers to get focus and draws the viewer’s eye onto it. If you have understood well, then the use of Negative space also gives a breathing space to the photograph which means all the aspects or elements on the photographs have deep and meaningful space.

If you look at the below photograph, the focus point is the woman who is wondering into beautiful nature and the heavy clouds. Whereas, the clouds have a leading line that draws the viewer’s eyes and makes them wonder what’s at the end of it.

Similarly, a portrait with a shallow depth of field will help you to focus on the main element of the subject that has great importance in the image. Negative space simply helps viewers to distinguish or isolate the main subject from the background.

Negative Space & Compositional balance

A perfect art is something where all the elements have equal weight and are compositionally balanced. In other words, it’s just like a balanced diet, where all the nutritious foods have different tastes and give different nutrition to our body.

Well, you don’t have to use all the hard and fast rules of photography, but there are certain compositional rules which you should follow to balance all the elements of the photograph. The proper use of all these compositional techniques and the negative space will dramatically change the outcome of your shots.

For instance, look at this beautiful flower image. It is a well-composed and balanced shot. The branch of the flower is aligned to the left side and is approaching the center, meanwhile the blur greenish background creates the perfect negative space.

Introduce movement with Negative Space

Negative space is a perfect technique to introduce a certain kind of movement in the photographs. The introduction of movement in the frame creates dynamism and anticipation in the eyes of viewers. Placing the subject at the edge of the frame suggests the direction of the movement and how it is interpreted by the viewers.

On the other hand, placing the subject into the frame determines different moods. For instance, the subject entering the frame gives a different feel than the subject about to exit from the frame. Likewise, the subject at the center of the frame creates some sort of mystery in the photographs.

Create Mystery with Negative Space

The use of silhouette in the image or something more of black & white and tonal contrast with adequate breathing or negative space creates a dramatic composition in the photograph. It also gives a sense of mystery, thrill, and secrecy to the viewers.

Negative Space from different Perspective

When you start to watch the whole world from the viewfinder of your camera, then you will come across with different shapes, patterns, and angles everywhere. This is where you know what to shoot exactly and how the space between each element will create a dramatic effect in your photographs.

Try to look at the world with a different perspective like a low angle or high angle, you will find an interesting focal point to shoot at. This will not only create interesting negative space, but it also gives abstract and textural effects in your photographs.

It’s always good to think about Negative Space while going for a photoshoot. But remember, it’s not something you should always go for. These are the things that should come naturally into your frame. Keep your mind open to anything and keep clicking.