What I have learned. - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

09/17/2002 07:16:15 PM · #1

I would like to share what I have learned from this challenge, Negative Space.
First you will have to excuse my spelling. I was never good at english or exspressing my words on paper.
Before this challenge I would take a picture and not worry to much about the background (the negative part of the photo). I would focus more on the subject (the positive). First I would recommand everyone read this. negative space
Here are the pictures that I took to help explain what I learned.
Negt1-3
Then I took my camera and started shooting. I first found the subject (positive part of the photo). Now I needed to focus on the background (negative). OK I found one. lol. Bare with me please.
I took negt1 and asked myself. Did it make the subject ( positive) stand out? Does it draw my eye to the subject? Could I even see the subject? Keep in mind the subject is the flower.
I then took Negt2. I asked myself again. What would make the subject stand out more? So I took Negt3. I was satisfied. I have a beautiful background (Negative space) that brings my eye to the subject. And makes you say "wow". Well, it made me say wow.
Here are some other photos I took for examples. Negt4-6
Keep in mind that my subject is the shovel. Can you see it in Negt4? You can see the shovel, but it doesn't look like the subject. I took Negt5. It is a better shot of the shovel, but still it doesn't feel like the subject because of the background (negative) is busy with other toys. I removed some of the distractions from the background and then I took Negt6. Does the background (negative) bring your eye to the shovel? It did for me. These are just examples. I did not submit any of these in the challenge. Just wanted to share what I learned. I hope someone can learn from this.
Thanks for listening.
Sonja

Zeissman

Canon EOS-500D Rebel T1i

09/17/2002 08:06:26 PM · #2

I think that this a great. You should be it as a tutorial. and not just on NS, but how to enhance your subject.

* This message has been edited by the author on 9/17/2002 8:05:06 PM.

Nikon AF Micro-Nikkor 60mm f2.8D

09/17/2002 09:02:03 PM · #3

Thank you, Zeissman.
It would be nice if more people would read it so they would have a better understanding of how to vote.

David Ey

Nikon D80

09/17/2002 09:16:07 PM · #4

Sonifo, I think ya got it. Thanks

Zeissman

Canon EOS-500D Rebel T1i

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

09/17/2002 10:30:09 PM · #5

But I think this applies outside of the challenge. It is a great way to show how to emphasize your subject. Negative space can be many things, but this can also be applied to basic composition.

Gordon

RIM BlackBerry Curve

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

09/17/2002 10:33:37 PM · #6

Originally posted by Zeissman:
But I think this applies outside of the challenge. It is a great way to show how to emphasize your subject. Negative space can be many things, but this can also be applied to basic composition.

That's very true, but only because the use of negative space is
a basic composition technique. The balance between positive subject
and frame is one of the fundamentals in art education - perhaps
not emphasised enough in photographic classes and texts.

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

09/17/2002 11:18:01 PM · #7

Are you saying that I have it all wrong too? I would have taken photos of bigger things and more negative space but here in Wyoming there isn't much out here. And due to lack of time. What am I not understanding about negative space? I would really love to learn more. Thanks
Sonja

focus

Canon EOS-20D

09/18/2002 12:15:58 AM · #8

From what I'm seeing on the voting on my picture, the first three pictures you submitted would not qualify here as negative space. I would have no problem giving you artistic leeway, but from the voting I am experiencing here, coupled with the comments I am receiving, those first 3 pics simply do not qualify by the very narrow interpretation of NS being used here.

As far as the last three pics; yes, the sand is easily identified as negative space. But again, some would claim that the number of subjects makes the picture "too busy."

For me the bottom line is: Do others outside this site appreciate your work and ask for copies of it? If yes, then be happy for the experience that you can take away here. Even if you never get a prize, enjoy the experience and make notes to yourself as to why you liked certain pictures. I even copy selected thumbnails from each competition into a Word document and comment heavily on what I liked about certain pictures, what I didn't like, and what I consider prime examples of an excellently framed shot.

Nature shots have always come, well, naturally to me. But composing a shot to be visually beautiful outside of things that are naturally beautiful or finding ways to enhance through use of setting, lighting, water and other common elements is what I have found to be intriguing here.

* This message has been edited by the author on 9/18/2002 12:22:50 AM.

Zeissman

Canon EOS-500D Rebel T1i

09/18/2002 12:32:56 AM · #9

That is not what I am trying to say. What I am trying to say, is that negative space seems like a controversial way of stating things. It could be argues there there is too much detial in the leaves...blah blah blah. What I am saying is, you have hit on a very powerful tutorial, that should not be muddled by one definition. The example you gave,are great examples of how to isolate you subject. Let everyone else argue about whether or not they are negative space examples. I guess what I am saying, is do not limit what you have found with a label, that some may think if about a technique with a limited purpose.

Originally posted by Sonifo:
Are you saying that I have it all wrong too? I would have taken photos of bigger things and more negative space but here in Wyoming there isn't much out here. And due to lack of time. What am I not understanding about negative space? I would really love to learn more. Thanks
Sonja

myqyl

Nikon D3100

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G DX VR

09/18/2002 01:29:27 AM · #10

Thank you Sonja, I wish I had this to read before I submitted. Excellent illustration.

I think this is one challenge that I will re-shoot now that I've learned more.