Is negative space the space you don’t like, or the space that is not there? And if it’s not there how can you tell? — Emma Bull
I read somewhere that negative space exists to give the eye a place to rest. Implicit in that of course, is that there is something to rest from.
I guess that’s what distinguishes negative space from space which is merely empty.
Understanding that distinction — and becoming comfortable with it — is not easy for many of us. We fill the frame, fill the page, fill our stomachs, our homes and our time (and our children’s time).
And then, at some point, we talk about simplifying, editing, down-sizing, stepping back. We are looking for the negative space in which to make sense of life.
Crikey, I hear you say, that’s a bit philosophical for a photo challenge.
Ah, but in the company of many thoughtful photographers (indeed lens artists), I think musing on the philosophies that inform our work has its place.
I play a lot with negative space in my photos.
It has been a slow and not always conscious process, though I do remember the first time I was aware of trying to take something out of an image, rather than trying to fit it in!
Looking though my archive, I notice that many of my images have quite high contrast between positive and negative spaces.
There are some exceptions.
These are all lovely. But I do particularly like that last one.
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Thanks Margaret
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Beautiful piece and pics
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Thank you
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Pleasure 😊
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You have a wonderful talent for using negative space in your photography. And I love the philosophical thoughts. I’m a person who enjoys space and especially my own. My daughter on the other hand never has a minute to herself.
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Thank you Jude. I also love my own space. I do enjoy company it only for a little while at a time.
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Crikey!
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What a fantastic gallery of negative space; love the saw blade 😃
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A great gallery and thoughtful philosophy Su 🙂 I’m with Margaret, the last image is a stunner
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Thanks Brian
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Your use of negative space makes your work positively shine.
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Thank you so much 🙏
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Personally I loved your philosophizing Su – perhaps because I so agree! Your images are beautiful, especially your opening apples. I also loved the seashell and its reflection, that was a great get.
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Thank you so much Tina 🙏
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I enjoy your definition of negative space. Great post!
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Thank you 🙏
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I love this series, Su! Your photos explain negative space so well, beautiful and perfect!
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Thank you so much Amy
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Wonderful choices!
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Thank you
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Excellent examples. I like ’em all, particularly the apples and paddleboarder. I’ve never understood how there can be ‘nothing’ in outer space. Wikipedia does NOT enlighten, this time. 🙂 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outer_space
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Thanks John. Have to agree with you on Wikipedia here; I’m as I enlightened as ever.
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A great lesson for the understanding of negative space in photography, Su!
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Thank you Peter
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Those apples look so tasty, I can just imagine bitting into one, gorgeous photo Su.
Leslie xoxo
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Thank you Leslie
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What strikes me is how calm and peaceful all of your images are. As well as the thought process that took you there. 🙂 🙂
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Thank you Jo 🙏
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Your photos are a wonderful response to the negative space challenge.
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Thank you so much
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Su, that’s a lovely new id photo of yourself. As well as the ones above. Photography seems to make some of us into philosophers. All good fun 🙂
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Thanks Suzanne
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Crikey, that’s very philosophical for a photo challenge. Thank you for sharing for your beautiful images, Su, and helping me understand the negative space concept. They speak to me of being “present”. I shall learn this lesson well.
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Ah well. You know me; any chance to bang on about over-consumption. 🙂
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And that was completely fine with me. 😁
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These are all lovely images, Su. I think the one with the boats and the last one might be my favorites. I too love negative space and frequently use it. I also like space in my life, cherishing time alone. My walks are a big part of that. While I don’t mind walking with others, I really prefer solitary walks with no music or other outside intrusions to interfere with sounds and sights around me.
janet
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I am the same. I figured from your Wyoming posts that you are comfortable with space — both physical and psychological.
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Honestly, I enjoy being there on my own. Of course I like it when the family is there too but it’s just different.
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I totally understand. For al, the years that T and I have lived together, one of us has travelled for work. Now that’s not happening and I really feel my space contracting. A challenge!
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Wow, Su. This is a fabulous collection. I love your “philosophizing,” too! Beautiful work.
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Thanks so much Patti 🙂
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Wow! just wow!
You’ve explained/demonstrated so clearly what negative space is (I was wondering).
We have a similar idea in writing – that which is not said which speaks the loudest. It’s what I’ve been working on this year, the idea of writing the shadows.
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I love the phrase “writing in the shadows” It totally captures the idea of negative space. I’ve worked as both a writer and editor, and prefer editing (even when it’s just my own work) because my goal is always to take things out — to create space for my readers’ own thoughts and feelings.
And in my case editing is absolutely essential because I always have way more words than I need.
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I enjoyed reading this. I like how you drew parallels between negative space in photos and negative spaces in other aspects of life.
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Thank you; I’m glad you enjoyed it
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All your photos are a wonderful contribution to the challenge, Su!
For me an empty stomach is definitely negative space! 😁
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Hehe; totally agree with that!
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Excellent blog! Thank you for sharing with us.
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