Negative Space - July 2002 NCUPS pre-meeting seminar

• What is negative space?
  
  • anything that’s not the subject
    
  • figure-field relationships
    
    • figure = subject
      
    • field = background (what the viewfinder sees in addition to the subject)
      
    • how does your subject relate to the space you have enclosed it in?
      
    • can the figure become the field?
      
  • negative space should contrast with the subject
    
    • darker than the subject
      
    • lighter than the subject
      
    • a different color than the subject
      
    • out of focus (while the subject is in sharp focus)
      
• Why do my photographs need negative space?
  
  • makes the subject “pop” (be easily seen by your intended viewer)
    
    • people look at pictures in the following order
      
      • in focus
        
      • light to dark
        
      • high contrast to low contrast
        
      • eyes to lips to nose (on a human face)
        Remember: eyes/head are important in animal photos.
        
  • can add significantly to the overall appeal of your subject and the composition of your photo
    
• How do I use it effectively?
  
  • look for good negative space _then_ look for subjects
    
  • compose your photograph
    
    • think about:
      
      • critical focus
        
      • lighting
        
      • contrast between figure and field
        
      • the spacial relationship between figure and field
        
      • the shape(s) of the negative space (look at it, instead of through it.)
        
  • check all the edges of your viewfinder for bad negative space
    
    • backscatter is hidden bad negative space
      
    • distracting objects, shapes
      
  • check the area around your subject for bad negative space
    
    • a lamp post, tree, or kelp sprouting out of your subject’s head
      
    • an unexplained column of bubbles