January Competition - Negative Space - an introduction

[Pipeman]

Negative Space??

Unfortunately this is the first introduction that I have been contracted to write.
Oh how I wish it had been something simple like “Colour”, or “Spring”.

An interesting subject. So interesting that I haven't much of a clue as to what to write to introduce it!

I suppose that Positive space is space that exists as an element in an image, for example to allow a moving subject room to move into, or to give an impression of vastness as with a moon in a big expanse of sky.

But Negative Space?

Could it be that the intention is that the image be devoid of space, tightly cropped, even cluttered, with no positive space to see?

We really need Professor Stephen Hawking as a TOG member to explain this one to us, but that is unlikely.

In the meantime, what do you think that the Theme Topic is?

Who thought this one up?:headbanger:

[benjiblanco]

LOL Ron, the discussion is the important part, not the answer.

I think the term 'negative' as opposed 'positive' is simply meant that it is NOT the subject.
Positive space is the space used by the subject of your image, negative, the space that is left.
By good use of negative space, it is possible to influence how the viewer sees the positive space (the subject)

We see Negative space all the time in branding and logos. Most companies will have very strict rules on how much negative space is used around their logo. For example, the 'ORANGE' logo by their guidelines must be surrounded by a minimum of 50% negative space.

As in your term for positive space, is indeed negative space, ie room for a moving subject etc.

One common connection to negative space is the rule of thirds.

[Pipeman]

My definition seems to be the wrong way around then? All good technical stuff which might even fool Professor Hawking!:)

So, within the terms of an image for the comp, Negative space is the "blank" bit, whereas Positive space would be the subject and matters appertaining to the subject. The purpose of Negative space being to highlight the subject, as in my example above of the moon in a big sky, with the intention that the viewer will "zoom into" the subject which has been isolated so as to give it more impact.

Mmmmmm!:D

[bryan]

negative space and composition go hand in hand like toast and cheese
heres 1 od mine from the gallery with "negative space"

http://www.tog247.com/gallery/data/504/thumbs/togcody.jpg ('http://www.tog247.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=8189')

[benjiblanco]

as in my example above of the moon in a big sky, with the intention that the viewer will "zoom into" the subject which has been isolated so as to give it more impact.

Mmmmmm!:D


Mmmmmm and Hmmmmmm :)

It's a little tricky using the sky and moon as an example, on the whole i would say yes and agree with you.
However, if your pic was the moon in the sky, it could be argued that the sky is as much the subject as the moon. :confuse:but in a sense it is negative space.

I think as Bryans portrait demonstrates it's much easier to show in a portrait.

However again, it can be argued that it's not really negative space, more space used to show the surroundings/location of the portrait.

Perhaps not as clear cut as it seems :)

[flook]

interesting topic, can I ask however, have you, by making the competition topic "negative space", created an oxymoron, as in being the subject, if I am understanding things correctly, it immediately becomes positive space:confuse:

[Roborob]

My understanding of the term "negative space" is that it is the empty space around a subject that gives the subject its meaning.
One example might be a couple on a beach, but the couple only take up a small part of the scene where the majority of the picture is "empty"

[bryan]

look on google and youll probably get a head ache, but simply put, negative space is the empty space or indeed the space thats doing nothing, positive space is the subject

have a look at keiths picture below, the positive space is the tree, the negitive space is everything else that makes up the rest of the photograph :top: simples!!!lol

http://www.tog247.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=10082

[Pipeman]

This competition is going to be very interesting - especially at Voting time!!

[bryan]

just to add, as most people may be thinking that, well that means theres negative space in every photography/picture, well not every picture but most:headbanger:, however when i think of negative space, im thinking exagerated negative space, where good composition dictates the subject, this is what i hope we would see in the competition

http://www.tog247.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=324

here ben and steffs dog is the positive space(subject) and everything else is the negative(empty, but doesnt need to be empty :top:)

hope this helps and remember it isnt as complicated as it may seem :rofl:

[Pipeman]

Mmmm, must start trawling my archives!

[kooky]

Oh dear, not only have i not got a clue what picture to take for this subject, i won't have a clue as to what would be correct to vote for:o:confuse:

[Marvin]

But Bryan, that pic doesn't have any empty space anymore, it has all been filled with PAW PRINTS.. :p

Taking Keith's tree piccie, am I right in thinking there is no empty space there either?
Sure, the tree is the main subject but the snow and sky has so much detail it can hardly be called 'empty' ??

I thought these were more of an 'empty space' examples??

http://www.tog247.com/gallery/data/527/thumbs/DSC_2235.jpg (http://www.tog247.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=9868) http://www.tog247.com/gallery/data/558/thumbs/matchthat.jpg (http://www.tog247.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=7725)

[benjiblanco]

Glancing through the portrait gallery, here are some strong examples of Negative space :top:

http://www.tog247.com/gallery/data/504/medium/BTB8478.jpg

http://www.tog247.com/gallery/data/504/medium/tog18.jpg

http://www.tog247.com/gallery/data/504/medium/blanking_it_all_out_t.jpg

http://www.tog247.com/gallery/data/504/medium/In_Deept.jpg

http://www.tog247.com/gallery/data/504/medium/McQueen_154_mono.jpg

http://www.tog247.com/gallery/data/536/medium/all-alone.jpg

[bryan]

But Bryan, that pic doesn't have any empty space anymore, it has all been filled with PAW PRINTS.. :p

Taking Keith's tree piccie, am I right in thinking there is no empty space there either?
Sure, the tree is the main subject but the snow and sky has so much detail it can hardly be called 'empty' ??

I thought these were more of an 'empty space' examples??

http://www.tog247.com/gallery/data/527/thumbs/DSC_2235.jpg (http://www.tog247.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=9868) http://www.tog247.com/gallery/data/558/thumbs/matchthat.jpg (http://www.tog247.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=7725)

you are right Nig, but your also wrong, negative space doesnt need to be empty, it can have birds, and tree's and sky, hell it could also have people :confuse: however your examples are spot on too, :top:

[munchycarrot]

I'm looking forward to seeing the entries for this one :)

[kooky]

I'm looking forward to seeing the entries for this one :)

:confuse: me too lol!!!!

[Pipeman]

I'm looking forward to seeing the entries for this one :)


Looks like an "Open" month!:confuse:

[miffy]

I think it'll be easier to choose, as the subjects will all be so diverse !! I sometimes find it hard when the entries are all pretty similar in subject matter, as there are always 2,3 or 4 that stand out for me, making the decision harder. I think that this time, they will all fulfill the "negative space" criteria, so then it's a matter of "good photography"--& then if i still have more than 1 in my shortlist, then i'll just go for the subject that appeals to me most (& don't pretend you haven't all got those!!:D) Bring it on!!!!!!!
Whoops, i'd better go & think about my own entry!!:o! Bye-:wavey:

xxjan

[Ray.Crabb]

My head hurts...

:(

[cindy]

My understanding of negative space is literally all the space surrounding the subject - space that is, not something at all such as in the previous examples For example this pic of flying geese http://www.tog247.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=9945&ppuser=19 or this http://www.tog247.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=6984&ppuser=19 Infact having looked through the rest of the thread I see Marvin and Ben have come up with perfect examples.

[Roborob]

Its going to make for a very interesting competition!:D

I think of those pictures as having a plain b/g and believe (in my opinion) that they dont ALL have negative space.
Only the pictures where the subject matter is relatively small show any negative space.
Im inclined to agree with Bryan when he says they can contain birds and trees etc
Negative space is more a "feeling" of space than just a plain b/g.