Hello everyone I will be hosting this challenge and need your help.

Negative space is the area surrounding the main subject of the photo (the subject is the “positive space”). Negative space is used to emphasize the main subject - to draw the eye to the positive space.

I’d heard ”balance and negative space” used in photography, but I didn’t understand what was meant or how it applied to composition. Many of you on UHH are well acquainted with the concepts and my expectation is that you will add examples and explanations for our mutual learning. I chose this topic because I knew little about it. So far I’ve learned: there are guidelines, interpretation is subjective, the same principles apply to other forms of art and knowing how to use these composition elements “can turn an average photo into an outstanding one” (see the “PhotographyMad” article)

“Balance” is a bit more difficult to define but your eye tends to recognize something well balanced (see the second article for examples and explanation). Some elements that carry more “visual” weight:

Bright areas on a darker background
Dark areas in an otherwise bright image
Bright colors in an otherwise monochrome or drab image
Faces - especially eyes
Areas of sharp focus in images with significant blurry areas
Objects closer to the camera
Objects that are physically heavier
Writing, symbols, and logos - especially in unexpected
places
Small areas of detail in large areas of open (negative) space.

http://www.photographymad.com/pages/view/understanding-and-using-negative-space-in-photography

http://www.lightandmatter.org/2012/learn-photography/photo-composition-balance/

The challenge? to improve composition skills through understanding and applying concepts of negative space and balance. Please read the articles for a better understanding than this introduction can offer.

Looking forward to seeing your examples. Got an article or YouTube? Share it with us, please.