A foggy morning on Lake MacDonald provides a moody negative space around the boat.

Space is one of the primary design elements in art (along with line, color, form, shape, texture and value).  The thoughtful use of negative space can add another dimension to your photography.  In this article, we’ll explore negative space, what it means and how we can best use it.

Positive & Negative Space

If there’s a negative space, then there must be a positive space, too, right?  Understanding the positive helps us understand the negative.  Positive space is most often the subject of your photo:  the eagle in flight, the mountain, the flower, the person.  Positive space is the extrovert, pushing forward, trying to grab your attention and saying “Look at me!  Look at me!”  It is what draws your eye, the star of the show.

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