Wildlife photographers often use long telephoto lenses for “filling the frame”, but more to capture a great photo. First, I wrote about being photographed through wildlife AnimalNow, let’s discuss the use of negative space – a often undested technology that is more noticeable.
What is a negative place (and what is not)?
In photographic composition, Positive place The main theme and supporting elements are occupied which attract attention. negative spaceOn the other hand, there is an area around the main subject, which is often “empty” or less wide. It can be the sky behind a mounting eagle, water around a swan, a ground of ice behind an arctic fox, or even a staining rock face that is carefully out.
I want to create a significant difference between conscious use of negative space, vs a simple “environmental” photo or Animalsscape, As I often define it. This type of photographs usually have one thing the same, which is very small in the animal frame. However, A like animals The animal shows in its context, using the surrounding environment, to tell a story about the dwelling place, behavior, or interaction with its surroundings. In this case, the environment is often rich in meaningful details and is integral as a story as the subject.
On the other hand, negative space works by subtraction. Its primary purpose is to simplify the composition, eliminate distractions, and direct the viewer’s eye directly to the main subject – emphasize their appearance, appearance or emotion. While an environmental picture / animalsscape adds reference, negative location intentionally reduces or blurred the context to isolate and highlight the subject.
A common interpretation associates a negative space with a completely smooth, similar background without any texture. This approach can be effective for extreme theme isolation and a minimal form. However, this over experiment can give rise to photographs that are technically correct but potentially lax or emotional reference. Negative place is really Where you don’t see in the photo. This can still be some texture until they remove the eye from the main subject.
In other words, it is not necessary to flatten a negative place. It may have its own subtle story of soft shapes, a delicate texture, or a color gradation that adds depth and interest, until it competes with the subject. (If this happens, it is most likely a positive place.)
The purpose of negative place in nature photography
I have already mentioned that the negative location used effectively can suggest reference, but there is more. In nature photography, negative space can be used in various ways to increase the visual and narrative effect of an image.
There are some main methods …
- Highlight the subject: Without visual competition, the theme clearly stands out, immediately attracts attention. Its size, texture and color become the main focal point.
- Emphasis on the size of the subject: Large negative places can emphasize the shortness of an animal in their vast natural environment, which expresses a sense of vulnerability or solitude. Conversely, your subject allows the photo to be taken more with a low negative place, can increase its glory and dominance within the scene.
- Cremisation and create a sense of peace: Liberal use of negative space – especially with simple, similar background – can contribute to a minimal and peaceful environment. This creative approach allows the eye to relax and focus on the main subject without comfort, which creates a sense of peace and thinking.
- With color: Sometimes, negative space can be used to include complementary colors of the subject that enrich the overall palette of the image, add harmony or vice versa. You should always pay attention to what the negative place in your photo looks, even if the main theme is more important!
- With shapes: Even without resorting to animalsscape style photography, you can use negative space to include shapes that enrich the picture without distracting attention from the main subject. They can pull your viewer’s eye in the right direction by acting as leading lines.
- Leaving room for imaginative spot: When the negative location includes out-off-focus highlights, such as reflection on water or davdrops, it can create a pleasant bokeh that adds an atmosphere to the image.
How to get negative space
No one denys that the camera gear has an impact in a negative place. 300 mm, 400 mm, 600 mm, and beyond focal length telephoto lenses, especially with broad maximum aperture (f/2.8, F/2.8, F/4, F/5.6), are Go-to Tools for many nature photographers. And a large maximum aperture lens makes it easy to separate the subject, surrounds it with a negative location.
However, as displayed This articleThe position of the photographer relative to the subject is more important than the aperture. And your choice of the subject – including its surroundings – is the main factor that determines how much negative place will be in your photo.
In other words, completely relying on bokeh to create isolation is not the same as using a strategically negative space. A completely out-of-focus background may still be distracted if it contains opposite, distracted shapes or colors, such as the shiny lights filtered through leaves or thick, dark branches.
The actual skill of using negative space lies in choosing the background consciously before considering the blurred effect. It is necessary to change your perspective, increase or reduce your camera (even in an extreme way). Or, wait for the right moment in which the animal – is running – keeps himself in position in an area with less chaotic and more homogeneous background.
In addition, it is important to take advantage of favorable natural conditions, such as fog, haze, ice, sand, calm water and cloud sky, which naturally are precious partners to create a “negative” background. Finally, we should not forget the importance of light: A background in deep shade can become an excellent negative place for a well -lighting subject.
As stated, the goal is not only to achieve a blurred background that separates the subject, but to create a clean and simple background that complements the subject without being distracted. The negative space should be increased by suggesting the context in a subtle way, without overshadhed it. As you can see from images selected to portray this article, it is a technique that can be applied to very different types of subjects and environment.
conclusion
The negative place is more than just an empty area; It is a powerful composition tool. Its use allows the idea to create influential, clear and emotional images. Of course, good wildlife photos can be taken that does not prefer negative space – this is just one of the many tools. However, it is a powerful tool. Negative location can isolate, emphasize and place subjects, turn the snapshot into powerful visual statements. By reducing the elements, we can contradictically add strength and meaning to the pictures of our nature.
I hope you enjoy this article about the negative place in nature photography. If you have any question or response, or have your own approaches to negative space in photography, please do not hesitate to leave them down in the comment section!
