Negative space

[Jon]

What do folks here think about the importance of Negative Space? I seem to be going through a phase where I'm really digging it.

Chelsea


Amanda


Fawn

[JDArt]

In the first two, the space plays an integral role in the impact that the picture makes. There's a tension provided by the look of the models' eyes. in the last photograph, the space is more gratuitous; one could easily crop out some of it without losing impact.

[jqeisberg]

I usually don't use it, but, as in your first two shots,* sometimes the the pic just wants it.

[bgeorge]

Love the use of negative space ... super images

[Blinky]

Negative space is absolutely crucial in composition... the eye,the brain really, likes to rest and unoccupied space makes that easy. How you use negative space is equally important.

I feel like an idiot critquing you Jon because you have so much more experience shooting women than I, but...

The shot of Chelsea is to me, a great example of a strong composition that not only relies on negative space but actually uses it as a primary graphic element. That shot really works for me, I love it.

The shot of Fawn is more of a typical ad composition where the space is available for something such as type... because of the divergent lines in her upper arm and forward leg, it has a slightly bloated feeling to me with the space completely empty though.

The shot of Amanda takes my eye right out of the frame before I get to the blue space because of the angle of her gaze. I'm wondering how that would look with more on top.

Here's Bethy. I didn't consciously add negative space on this one when I shot it but my visual sense was offended without it... If you look close you can seen the cloning line where I patched on more background just to get the space.



Chip

[Paul Shields]

Some excellent and thought provoking replies. I guess if the subject is so closely cropped then almost any amount of negative space can work, as proven here. An interesting question.