Using Negative Space in Compositions
What is Negative Space and how can it be used?
Many young artists believe that empty space is something they need to avoid.
They are wrong.
For this quest, explore how you can use negative space in a composition to add interest and emphasis to your subject matter.
Objective
- To learn ways to utilize negative space in a composition
- To learn why negative space can elevate a composition
- Learn to recognize when and how negative space can be used
Remember: All projects require documentation of your design process. Be sure you are very familiar with the design process before beginning any Epic Quest.
Create your new project page titled Negative Space. Now copy and paste the following as you will need to complete and correctly document these 7 steps on the your design process:
- Understand the Problem
- Research and Investigate
- Generate Possible Solutions
- Select AND DEVELOP Best Solution
- Model and Prototype (Create)
- Test and Evaluate
- Produce
PROJECT REQUIREMENTS & INSTRUCTION
- 2 unique final compositions that emphasize negative space (2 x 35 pts)
- Fully documented creative process (30pts)
- Negative Space must be created using different “space” or background/environments
- Utilize Negative space to put emphasis on your Focal point
- explore and document digital texture blending experimentation with your images (optional use in final compositions)
Design Process STAGE 1: Understand the Problem
1. What is the assignment?
- What do you recognize as the most important challenges you must address to be successful?
- What do you have to complete to fully meet the assignment expectations?
Design Process STAGE 2: Research and Investigate
Always record every resource either as a cited source or a linked resource with documentation on your project page. You must have at least two different sources you have used/explored
2. Research thoroughly
What is negative space?
Why would a photographer want to use negative space?
What some different ways to use or create negative space?
Does negative space have to be empty?
When should I consider using negative space?
Starting point resources (locate others)
Digital Photography School (multiple articles)
Include a photo grid or link a moodboard of at least 5-10 examples of other artists different ways of using negative space in their photos
Design Process STAGE 3: Generate Possible Solutions
3. Brainstorm ideas for visual spaces that could have potential for creative application of negative space — Show your brainstorming as idea webs, clouds, lists, found imagery, small sketches of elements (at least 25 ideas, words, elements required)
- Brainstorm: Where could I go
- Brainstorm: What subject matter you could focus on
- What different backgrounds can be used for negative space, look at examples for this list
Design Process STAGE 4: Select and Develop Best Solution
5. Select the best solution
- notate why you have chosen it
- Finalize a detailed sketch layout of your best solutions
- Detail possible color schemes, moods, tones, feelings
- Note any technical detail that need to be addressed such as light, focus, time, schedule
Design Process STAGE 5: Model and Prototype (Create)
6. Begin the shooting
- Practice, develop or refine your composition and style.
- Execute your Plan.
Design Process STAGE 6: Test and Evaluate
7. Self-reflect on your design
- Evaluate and develop your images
- Consider digital techniques to further develop your composition
- Do you need to reshoot?
- Reflect of how your composition and concept is developing into a final product.
- How could you take it further?
- Ask others for their opinions and document the suggestions whether you agree with them or not.
- Refine or develop elements of the design that can be improved
Design Process STAGE 7: Produce
8. Export and Turn in the final high res compositions to print.
Publish the final images at the top of your Behance page and below each Image justify your choice of camera settings and comment on compositional attribute of your scenes.
- Turn file into the Coulson’s server
- Get final printed and matted
- Finalize Project Page with a full self-reflection
- successes
- struggles
- improvements
- what you learned
- Fill out and turn in your grade sheet
COMPLETE: You need a fully finished project page included all scanned sketchbook work with captions. Turn your your finished artwork to the Captain’s Server. Finally Paste the URL to your project page below and you may then click complete.
Great Work Visitor.
Amazing work, Visitor.
Be Proud.
Go hang the finished piece on the Critique wall at the front of the classroom. Other’s need to see what you have accomplished.
- Matte or Mount for BONUS LOOT: Matte or Mount Bonus
BONUS Self Assessment Loot:
After completion of your project and project page documentation choose one of the appropriate self-assessments for yourself. Consider the skill, craftsmanship, originality, and composition of your final Product:
Over The Top Nailed It Good, But… At Least I Finished It