space to shine

Clockwise from top left - Empire State Building in NYC, Nelson's Column in London, Water towers on the Highline NYC, Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.

Sometimes the way to make a subject sparkle is to give the space to shine.

Using negative space to draw attention your subject can be really fun. When I approach a well known landmark, I like to mix it up a little, by using the negative space around it and have the subject peeking into the frame. The subject is still recognisable it’s just composed in a different way.

How about you? Maybe you'd like to create some space for your subject to shine? Do you ever play with negative space?... please share with us today.

Comments

[Marcie]

Lots and lots of 'negative' space here:
http://marciescudderstudios.squarespace.com/home/2012/4/5/keeping-it-silent.html

[Deb]

I love negative space! It's just magic. Here's a recent example from me :-) http://www.flickr.com/photos/muddybarefeet/7045613683/in/set-72157629214435592/

[emma]

I've said it on here before but I absolutely love negative space. It's a photography style which immediately draws me.

Here is mine, of the Byron Bay lighthouse (in Australia):

http://www.flickr.com/photos/vanillasplash/6981112279/in/set-72157629216800426

[Anne]

Just recently discovered negative space and still experimenting with it. Here's one I like form the photo's so far:

http://www.circusedgar.blogspot.com/2012/03/kasteel-duivenvoorde.html

[Becky Sue]

Using negative space is a great way to showcase a gorgeous blue sky.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rslaflam/7007272411/

[rakusribut]

oh yeah.... i love negative space! at night there's lots of it :-()
http://kiekjevandedag.blogspot.com/2012/03/maan.html

[deb lougee]

Didn't realize what negative space was until seeing this post--Thanks and it looks like I've used it in some of pictures!:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/60437346@N06/7050563621/in/photostream

[Maria P.]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/echie52/6648681413/

I love to use negative space.

[simply]

i also love to use neg space to get my point across :O)

http://simplystork.blogspot.com/2011/03/maybe-today.html

~simply

[tamara]

i love the look of negative space...recently i took this shot for a course i'm currently taking. while the subject matter {fog} doesn't shine in real life, the negative space seems to do exactly what you mention here...allow it room to shine.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/59203832@N07/7031116507/in/set-72157629515107173

[Valerie]

I can't manage it very often with a wiggly tot, but I love it when I can get negative space into a portrait.
http://journeyleaf.typepad.com/journeyleaf/2012/04/almost-done.html

[Kim]

oh yes! these by accident, as i wasn't tall enough- but i love the result!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/9032846@N03/6780250217/in/photostream
http://www.flickr.com/photos/9032846@N03/6780248389/in/photostream/

[Angela]

Admittedly, I normally like to "fill the lens" with my subject, but negative space can be my friend too.

www.walkingthrutheseasons.blogspot.com

[Colleen]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/colleenmcmen/6906453322/
My daughter at the beach in February.
I love the photography of Max Wanger. He uses negative space so successfully.
http://www.maxwangerblog.com/

[mama-pan {this is marzipan.}]

I had negative space on the mind in this shot the other day:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/98076237@N00/7053366077/in/photostream

love your building-tops, xanthe.

[spread your wings]

i love your grouping of photos

i like to work with negative space. here are two recent ones
http://www.flickr.com/photos/autumnsun/6850554468/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/autumnsun/7044944983/