More than just empty space…
The use of negative space is simply using nothing to put emphasis on something, i.e. leave a lot of unused or empty space to draw the viewers attention to what is in the frame:
It doesn’t really matter what the subject you want to emphasise is – it can be the tree above (or the man walking), or it can be a spider sitting on your kitchen window:
It may seem counter intuitive to use negative space, as the frame itself is a reduction or a selection of a part of reality, but it does give the picture a special mood of calmness:
However, it is important that there is a subject to be emphasised, otherwise the viewer is simply puzzled and cannot figure out what the point with the picture is. In the below example, there really is no apparent subject to be emphasised:
Sometimes negative space can be used to express isolation and loneliness:
Or being together in a bigger frame:
Or put emphasis on the sunrise and the silhouettes:
Or feeling very insignificant in a big universe:
Or simply majestically rise above the haze:
Or waiting for something to happen:
Or simply emphasizing a beautiful view:
Whatever your chosen use of negative space is, I hope the above has given inspiration for your creative work. Please leave a comment or question below – happy to try to give answers and inspiration for your work.
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