Negative Space

In fine art, we often make use of a concept known as negative space: a fancy phrase to describe the deliberate use of empty space around a subject. It is one of my most favorite artistic techniques. You see it all the time in advertising; often a photo will show a person or object with a lot of blank space, which the advertisers use to write their message on.

Sometimes the space can “say” something to me as an artist: it might reflect a particular moment or emotion, or it might emphasize the lighting in a room. It could also be used to show a lack of light.

In this photograph, the little boy is walking away, and since he’s alone and walking into the sunlight, I want the viewers (us) to feel as though he is truly walking away from us. The “extra” grass in the image highlights the evening sun, while the shadow of the boy appears to continue to walk even as it is part of a still image:

This photo of a father and his new son is one of my favorites. The negative space in this image serves to highlight the matching expressions on their faces, and also shows a bit of emptiness around them, as if to give them privacy in an intimate bonding moment between father and son.

Paired images like these make for beautiful wall art. I love these two images of this mom-to-be, one of them clearly taking her by surprise — maybe the baby moved, or she just remembered something? — and one in a moment of thoughtfulness. The empty wall here highlights the beautiful light falling on Reina and adds to the sense of mystery.

 

Did you know that “standard” photo sizes are meant to correspond with the developing sizes of old cameras? An 8×10 was a medium format camera from the 1800s, and it only made one size print: 8×10. Today’s modern cameras do not use this 5:4 ratio, and your 8×10 photos will always have a little something missing.

In this example, the “hallway of trees” effect, which is used to highlight the smallness of the little girl, is diminished when the focus & light of the surroundings are eliminated. This particular image would be used for a large wall portrait, so it’s important to keep the 8×12 ratio (3:2) no matter how large you’d like your print to be.

Just like any artist, I use the camera as a tool to make art for you and your family, and when I take your photos, every inch of the frame reflects my artistic vision. I sell fine art portraits in a variety of sizes and custom frames that work perfectly for the images I make, that reflect your unique beauty, and will look beautiful on your walls. Contact me today to plan your photo session.