Minimalism with Space

Here, the negative space has it’s own texture, pattern and a character to lend to the main subject..” Photography/Steve Loya

Add some silence in your composition. Think like an artist and use space creatively with structures.

Negative space is a compositional tool used in art and design. It is essentially the empty space around and between the subject. Often used as a neutral or a contrasting background, negative space draws attention to the main subject.

A Pause in Composition
Apart from lending a balance to the overall picture, the negative space in a photograph also provides the viewer’s eye with some relief and allows it to rest, whereas usually, the eye is forced to wander through a photo. One can compare this empty space with that of a second of silence in a musical piece. Without this infinitesimal pause or a second of silence, the musical piece sounds unnecessarily continuous.

The sky is an effective way to add space while photographing an architectural structure. Photograph/Joe Penniston

Less is More
Minimalism is used in various art and design forms where the essence of a subject is shown by eliminating all nonessential forms or features. Using negative space in photography, you can employ the style of minimalism in which the simplest and fewest elements are used to create the maximum effect.

Keep in Mind

The use of negative space can create great graphical pictures. But they can also make an image look dull, plain and empty. In such cases, a supporting graphical element such as lines, patterns or colour need to be stronger.

This article originally appeared in the July 2013 issue of Better Photography.

Observe the area around the objects you photograph and find the best compositional way to add negative space.” Photography/Tim Caynes