Photography, in a nut shell, is lines, shapes, colors, and feelings
In photography negative space is perhaps the most important element as it embraces the subject within your image — the element of interest — helping it stand out and inviting the viewer’s attention. It is the aspect within a photograph that generally doesn’t attract much attention. It is sometimes referred to as white space and has the potential to change what appears to be an average subject into an outstanding image.
The simplest example of positive and negative are the words in this blog. These words draw your attention while the background doesn’t. The words are positive space, and the white background is negative space
Negative space awakens feelings of peace, calm, quiet, loneliness, isolation. It is less about the subject within a photograph and more about awakening a feeling in the viewer.
Negative space can create a sense of lightness, airiness…it can strengthen the positive emotions in a photography, emphasize the feelings of your subject, conveying whatever story you as a photographer wishes to evoke in your viewer.
Negative space provides “breathing room” giving the viewer’s eyes a place to rest and preventing an image from appearing too cluttered…creating a more engaging composition.
Negative space, in the world of photography, may be more important especially if the photographer tends towards creating images that are simple; yet effective. Michael Kenna, Bruce Percy, and Masao Yamamoto are three artists known for their minimalistic images.
This week’s lens artists’ host is Amy (The World is a Book). Hop on over and join in the fun.
a meditative journey 
Beautiful series, Brenda. Love the last two images especially. Thank you for sharing with us.
Thank you Amy. Your challenge invited me to revisit past posts and images. Please be safe
A pleasure of having your participation, as alway. 💗
These are beautiful captured beach 🏖 images, Brenda.
Thank you Khürt. It is great reading your comments.
Excellent post Brenda. An excellent description of the concept and its impact as well as terrific examples. Nicely done.
Thank you Tina. I appreciate your supportive words.
I especially love the one of the fence in the snow as well as the grass in the water. A varied, intriguing bunch of photos.
Thank you Judy. Your words inspire me to continue this photo journey that has been disrupted by recent events.
Good. Life is always going to be disrupted by events..It’s how we live through them that makes a life..
Wonderful post and great images! My favorite the one with the silhouettes.
Thank you Ana…”great images!” brought a smile.
Beautiful!
Thank you…I enjoy your creative work.
I love these wonderful images Brenda. They are like food for thought for me.
Thank you Rupali. I appreciate your words as they do encourage me to pick up my camera that has gathered a bit of dust during this challenging time. Please be safe.
I am looking forward…
Thanks.
Excellent portfolio
Thank you, Paulie.
Wow – the photos had such a good flow – so did your words and I actually was so engrossed in reading that I forgot to look at a few photos and went back up to see them- that is how good your sections were – enjoyed it much
And a too photo for me was the beach fence to the right – almost like
Piano keys
Thank you…”Wow” brings a smile.
🙂
Thank you Brenda for sharing your in depth knowledge of negative space in art. Love your pictures especially the one showing the blades of grass in the water (second from the last). Beautifully done!
Thank you, Syliva. One of the greatest gifts is to learn of the acceptance of one’s desire to share.
My favourite is the one with the figure (the 4th), but they are all beautifully studied.
Thank you, Susan. To read “beautifully studied” is like awakening to a gentle morning dew.