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DPChallenge Forums >> Current Challenge >> Spaced Out with Negative Space
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 08/18/2003 07:07:37 AM · #1
As I've been perusing the Negative Space images, I've noticed that negative space is not something that is there, or is not. It's not turned on or turned off. Just like many elements or tools of photography, I've found that there are subtleties to it.

What, to you, creates clarity when it comes to negative space? How do you know it's there? When is subtle TOO subtle?
 08/18/2003 07:09:00 AM · #2
*raises hand*

When I do it? lol

M
 08/18/2003 07:16:32 AM · #3
I'm not sure really... I guess I'm just hoping I know it when i see it :P
 08/18/2003 07:20:07 AM · #4
rofl

exactly

Originally posted by mavrik:
*raises hand*

When I do it? lol

M
 08/18/2003 07:21:08 AM · #5
Originally posted by dsidwell:
...
What, to you, creates clarity when it comes to negative space? How do you know it's there? When is subtle TOO subtle?


Quite difficult to pin down personal answers for this. I'm learning that it can work effectively both as the big space around the focal point, or the little space surrounded by a large focused plane. It can distill the viewer's attention to a single focal point, or it can direct the attention away from the focus and radiate it towards the surrounding space. Interesting dichotomies.
08/18/2003 07:23:25 AM · #6
If the negative space brings your eyes to the subject.

If it is all clutter with stuff there really isn't any negative space.

I could be wrong though and a one voter already does by the comment I got. I think he knows nothing! lol
 08/18/2003 07:39:37 AM · #7
I think an extreme use of neg-space would certainly throw the balance of the photo off. An obvious void would probably rate higher with the voters,but who can figure them out? There are several shots in the challenge that used a very subtle approach in a top-notch way. I am not docking points if I can see a creative use of neg-space, but the awesome shots as usual, are getting bonus points from me.
 08/18/2003 09:36:27 AM · #8
That is the challenge isn't it? How does the image "promote" for the lack of a better word, the concept of negative space. There are a lot of outstanding shots in this challenge.

I've just done my 3rd run through,, started leaving comments and shuffling my votes around.

Is it possible for the negative space to be the focal point? Is it then still negative space? Or does what may initially appear to be the "object" become the negative space?

hmmmm....... so many questions.
 08/18/2003 10:18:15 AM · #9
I'm voting images low for cop-out use of sky - this is very nearly the 'Negative Sky' challenge! Sky is effective if it's interaction with the subject causes an effect or response in me when I see it. If it's just an object with loads of space above then this is not using space in any way other than to fill the absence of a subject.

As usual there are some great shots regardless of challenge brief, but the challenge is everything in this one, so my scores will reflect this.
 08/18/2003 10:28:22 AM · #10
There were quite a few great shots in this challenge and after finishing voting I felt that the really good shots helped me understand negative space better. There were several pictures that added a lot of space but didn't necessarily use the space around the subject in creative ways. In my opinion many of these shots meet the challenge but score low for creativity.

You can meet the challenge and have a technically great photo (in focus, etc) but if it's not compelling, interesting, or a creative use of the negative space it will score lower.
08/18/2003 10:29:47 AM · #11
In my interpretation, negative space is that area of a photograph that is no the subject, or subjects, of the shot.

I expect to give higher marks to shots that actually use this space, rather than just leaving a lot of space around a subject: the first approaches that struck me were to show isolation, or differrence, or some aspect of size, or dissociation between two things. Along those lines. I fully expect to discover a new approach from someone though -

Ed
 08/18/2003 10:33:28 AM · #12
Like Ben said, I know it when I see it. I did a quick look over the entries ... great shots out there. :)
 08/18/2003 11:28:35 AM · #13
Just finished voting on negative space - thought the standard was very high - gave one 9 ,thirteen 8's, fity three 7's, forty nine 6's, nineteen 5's and five 4's.

Thanks and well done to all of you who entered.

08/18/2003 12:12:10 PM · #14
I just finished voting. I agree. Some excellent stuff. I've given more high scores than I usually do. Lots of 10's 9's and 8's.

On that note, I have started the practice of leaving the score I gave photos without a comment. I think it's nice for people to be able to see what score I am giving things but I've found that I prefer to leave comments after the challenge is over and I promise to do so on all entries I have left comments with just the score on. SO if you have a comment from me that just says 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, etc, don't be annoyed, there is most likely going to be more to come.
 08/18/2003 12:13:36 PM · #15
I'll have one of those 10s. Thanks bud.


Originally posted by JasonPR:
I just finished voting. I agree. Some excellent stuff. I've given more high scores than I usually do. Lots of 10's 9's and 8's.

On that note, I have started the practice of leaving the score I gave photos without a comment. I think it's nice for people to be able to see what score I am giving things but I've found that I prefer to leave comments after the challenge is over and I promise to do so on all entries I have left comments with just the score on. SO if you have a comment from me that just says 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, etc, don't be annoyed, there is most likely going to be more to come.

 08/18/2003 12:27:09 PM · #16
Originally posted by JasonPR:
I just finished voting. I agree. Some excellent stuff. I've given more high scores than I usually do. Lots of 10's 9's and 8's.

On that note, I have started the practice of leaving the score I gave photos without a comment. I think it's nice for people to be able to see what score I am giving things but I've found that I prefer to leave comments after the challenge is over and I promise to do so on all entries I have left comments with just the score on. SO if you have a comment from me that just says 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, etc, don't be annoyed, there is most likely going to be more to come.


I hope the more to come includes adding points, otherwise I'll second Jacko and take one of the 10s :)
 08/18/2003 12:28:49 PM · #17
Hi,

I am new to the concept of negative space. I have this photo that i took some time back for the "Inside Lookig Out" and "Desolation" challenge but never posted it. I have already posted this image on some other forums at DPCearlier. At the risk of getting banished from the forums altogether (There were a few who rightly pointed that raising the same topic in multiple threads was poor etiquette), I would like to know whether this one would have addressed the requirements of Negative Space?

//f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/vishwanathnatarajan/vwp?.dir=/&.dnm=looking+out1.jpg&.src=ph&.view=t

Thanks,
ceovishy
 08/18/2003 12:35:20 PM · #18
Originally posted by ceovishy:
Hi,

I am new to the concept of negative space. I have this photo that i took some time back for the "Inside Lookig Out" and "Desolation" challenge but never posted it. I have already posted this image on some other forums at DPCearlier. At the risk of getting banished from the forums altogether (There were a few who rightly pointed that raising the same topic in multiple threads was poor etiquette), I would like to know whether this one would have addressed the requirements of Negative Space?

//f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/vishwanathnatarajan/vwp?.dir=/&.dnm=looking+out1.jpg&.src=ph&.view=t

Thanks,
ceovishy





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 08/18/2003 12:42:42 PM · #19
Originally posted by JasonPR:
I just finished voting. I agree. Some excellent stuff. I've given more high scores than I usually do. Lots of 10's 9's and 8's.
SO if you have a comment from me that just says 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, etc, don't be annoyed, there is most likely going to be more to come.


Hey thanks from one of the 8's....... I look forward to your comments.

And YAHOO,, this is my best effort to date.
I am soooo excited to be doing as well as I am.

08/18/2003 12:57:26 PM · #20
IMO, I think all but a few missed the concept of negative space once again.. Just taking a photo with a single toned/textured/colored background making up the majority of the composition, doesn't cut it. Ya gotta make it do something!

I thought these were good from the first challenge..
//www.dpchallenge.com/image.php?IMAGE_ID=5913
//www.dpchallenge.com/image.php?IMAGE_ID=5963

//www.dpchallenge.com/image.php?IMAGE_ID=16735
(one of my own from a different challenge -- unintentional negative space but noticed afterward and titled "Spooky" -- if you squint, it kinda looks like a ghost..
 08/18/2003 01:07:19 PM · #21
Oops...had the album as Private...its fixed now.

Originally posted by heida:
Originally posted by ceovishy:
Hi,

I am new to the concept of negative space. I have this photo that i took some time back for the "Inside Lookig Out" and "Desolation" challenge but never posted it. I have already posted this image on some other forums at DPCearlier. At the risk of getting banished from the forums altogether (There were a few who rightly pointed that raising the same topic in multiple threads was poor etiquette), I would like to know whether this one would have addressed the requirements of Negative Space?

//f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/vishwanathnatarajan/vwp?.dir=/&.dnm=looking+out1.jpg&.src=ph&.view=t

Thanks,
ceovishy





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 08/18/2003 05:03:08 PM · #22
Originally posted by uabresch:

I hope the more to come includes adding points, otherwise I'll second Jacko and take one of the 10s :)


Sure, when the challenge is over, I'll up you to a 10! Promise!
 08/18/2003 05:27:53 PM · #23
Originally posted by JasonPR:
Originally posted by uabresch:

I hope the more to come includes adding points, otherwise I'll second Jacko and take one of the 10s :)


Sure, when the challenge is over, I'll up you to a 10! Promise!


Thank you kindly! I'll send you virtual chocolates :)
 08/18/2003 11:15:19 PM · #24
Jason - you've just made by day with a critique that wipes the floor with any ribbon - seriously! Thanks.


Message edited by author 2003-08-19 10:40:24.
 08/18/2003 11:47:27 PM · #25
Jon: Glad to know my comment was appreciated. Now I'm curious which one was yours but I know it must be good cause I only left real comments on 10's and 9's so far.

Mine is rockin at a 6.3 so I'm pretty pleased with that. I'm always really happy just to break 6. I know I'm not going to get a ribbon any time soon with all the amazing competition out there. I could use a few more comments though! Instead, I've been trying to leave them so I have a right to complain.
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