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Space in your photos is very important and can be manipulated to make your shots much more professional looking. No I am not talking about the dark black area above us that we see at night. I am talking about the space of the photograph within the borders of the photo. You see there are various areas that you can use the space in your photograph. If you know how to use the space in your photo right you can take much better shots. If you don*t use the space right you can end up with photos that just seem off and are not visually pleasing.

First off, there are two different types of space when it comes to photography. The first type is negative space and the second type is positive space.

Negative Space

Negative space is type of space is the space that is in relation to the object of importance of the image but not the object itself. The negative space is the are on the photo that does not include the object or focal point of interest. For example, the negative space of a picture of a soccer ball with a white background is the white background.

Positive Space

I am really sure that you can guess what positive space is now that you know negative space. Yes, it is the space that comprises of the object or focal point of interest in the photograph. This area is where you are going to want your viewer to pay the most attention to.

Many photographers only pay attention to the positive space but in reality the negative space plays a major role in the photo as well. Knowing how to master the use of negative space can make the positive space that much more appealing. The amount of this negative area that you use can make your photo either look trapped and lacking in space or like it is liberated and open.

The background of the subject can have a very large role in the picture. The background is the negative space and usually does one of two things in photography. It either is neutral and blank or it is filled with things that contribute to the object of importance.

The simple way to take a photo is to have the background be plain and empty. Having the background contribute can make for much better shots. Getting better at the backgrounds you take is done through practice and experimentation.

Positive space can be used powerfully as well. You can have the subject take up lots of the picture or a little amount. The use of the space in your photograph is what can really make your photo work or feel as if it is missing something. Experiment with this and do not be afraid to try different things out. Sometimes a photo will look great with lots of negative space. Other times it will look great with barely any negative space at all. These differences can change the effect the photo has on the viewer.