Last updated: June 2026
The saying “less is more” is definitely true in many contexts, but it’s particularly relevant in photography. Negative space is one of the most effective composition techniques for conveying emotion — and an emotive photo is a powerful photo.
From the definition of negative space to a practical guide to using it in your work, here’s how to use negative space to capture your audience’s attention.
What is negative space photography?
Also known as “white space photography”, negative space is a composition technique that deliberately leaves space around your subject. The “negative space” refers to the area surrounding your subject; your subject itself occupies the “positive space”.
The purpose of negative space is to create balance between your background and the focal point of your image. In practice, it defines and draws the eye toward the main subject, making the overall image more striking and aesthetically pleasing.
What are the benefits of using negative space?
New photographers tend to focus on capturing their subject without giving much thought to what surrounds it in the frame. This can lead to cluttered, busy compositions that compete for the viewer’s attention.
Negative space reduces visual clutter and encourages viewers to hone in on the subject — which often only takes up a small portion of the frame. The smaller the subject, the more memorable it can be. By creating contrast, negative space leads to more striking and dramatic images.
The technique is particularly popular in portrait photography. As humans, we’re naturally drawn to other people, so we respond strongly when they’re the clear focal point of a photo. Negative space portraits convey a sense of scale — making the subject appear small against their surroundings and evoking emotions like solitude, wonder, or mystery.
How to use negative space
Unlike some other composition techniques — like the Rule of Thirds — negative space doesn’t require following a strict set of rules. As long as your subject remains the focal point, you can use your imagination to find the right balance between positive and negative space.
You don’t need to rely on empty or blank areas like stretches of sky, sand, or water. Many photographers play with using other elements or people in the periphery as negative space. This lack of formality can be genuinely liberating — instead of following guidelines, you can use instinct and emotion to compose your images.
Top tip: If a composition evokes a certain feeling for you — happiness, loneliness, wonder — chances are it will do the same for your audience.
Tips for using negative space in your photos
Since there are no hard rules, negative space photography is all about intuition — and you’ll only improve with practice. Here are a few ways to get started:
- Shoot from different angles. Try crouching down to fill the frame with sky, or shooting from above for a panoramic perspective. You never know when a new angle will unlock a great composition.
- Position your subject in an unusual area of the frame. A bottom corner or an off-centre spot can be far more interesting than a centred composition.
- Branch out beyond blank spaces. Your negative space doesn’t need to be completely void of detail — it just needs to contrast with your subject. Cloudy skies, textured walls, and patterned surfaces can all work effectively.
- Aim for roughly two-thirds negative space. This isn’t a hard-and-fast rule, but it’s a useful starting point if you’re new to the technique.
- Keep practising. This isn’t something you’ll master in a day — just keep looking for opportunities to use negative space and your compositions will improve over time.
Learn more photo composition tips
Negative space is just one of many composition techniques that can add emotion, depth, and style to your photos. For more photography tips and ways to improve your skills, visit the Ted’s Blog.
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