The Positive Effect of Negative Space in Photography & Life (D227)

Positive space is where the action is… where shape, form and function live.

Negative space is the empty space around the action, shape, form and function.

There is a place for both in our images. In fact, there is a place for both in our lives. Positive space shows you what is going on, forces your focus and attention to a particular subject and that’s good. Equally good is the negative space that serves to balance the positive. The open space of “nothingness” is an important visual element and not to be neglected in your images.

Perhaps you didn’t necessarily know the official definition of negative space before, but you inherently would understand the principle. A new Fast Track photography friend emailed me today about what she had learned from studying negative space:

For some reason I didn’t think I understood negative space. So I looked it up and realized that I have actually shot a lot of photos using this technique anyway, I just wasn’t aware of it (don’t look now, but I think someone is learning).

This is exactly why a 365 photography challenge can improve your images 300% in one year. It’s the details, definitions, understanding, and daily revelations that you learn learn with a click of the button in a few spare moments.

If you didn’t take Theme Thursday challenge, why not try it tomorrow?

I have a deeper question for you now… where is the negative space in your LIFE?

Speaking from experience, it’s so easy for me to get wrapped up in whatever my latest creative endeavor might be. I fill my schedule until it’s overflowing, then wonder why I’m exhausted and overwhelmed. It’s a position I put myself in with a constant tendency to always want positive space… always something newer, better, quicker, faster… you get the idea.

This theme couldn’t have come at a better time as I was just reminded of the script/poem I wrote for the Dream. Create. Inspire. series of videos for Pictage PartnerCon.

Would you take a minute to slow down, watch this, and B R E A T H E …