5.26.2009

negative space



i was going to post these shots soon, but had not planned on it today. but i just read today's post on shutter sisters, and i immediately thought of these shots. the post was about the art of the vignette—whether created through processing techniques or built in to the shooting. i'm not even sure if these shots are exactly what tracey was talking about, but like i said, these are what i thought of when i read her post.

i was so pleased with how these turned out for a few reasons. i love the color. the softness of the background and even the foreground in one of them {which is what made me think of them while reading the s.s. post}.

but it is this that made me love them the most—the shapes that the negative space creates. in design school {specifically in drawing and painting and graphic design courses}, i learned how negative space can be used or even brought to attention for a wonderful artistic effect. an example of negative space would be the white areas {or background} of an ad with type and images. in this case, it is the green areas and shapes that are created by the "holes" of the wrought-iron planter. i purposefully zoomed in on the planter to create this effect.

i have a friend who did not understand why i take these kind of pictures—you know, where you don't even know what the subject is because you are zoomed in so far as to not recognize the subject. i explained that this is exactly why. i see shapes and forms everywhere i look. some created by objects and others by the negative space of those objects. it's why i love powerlines against sky/cloud shots. those lines break up the sky into so many wonderful planes and pieces.

so you may see a lot of these kinds of shots from me on this here blog. now you know why. it's one of my favorite things about photographing. it's something i LOVE to play with.

{and, speaking of shutter sisters and tracey clark, she informed me yesterday that i won a color photo printer over on s.s. as a result of being entered to win when i nominated beth's photo—which also happens to be a lovely vignette shot—for one sweet shot. i was so excited! i just wanted to thank shutter sisters here and now. thank you. thank you. thank you.}

14 comments:

Heather said...

I admire (ok, envy:) people who understand what makes an image appealing -- negative space and the like! I imagine that you see possibilities where other do not. Much like walking through a photo gallery in your every day life. Congrats on the win!

Chris said...

Wow, that's awesome! Congrats on the printer. And yeah, I totally get these type of pix. People ask me the same thing, but I just smile and click.

spread your wings said...

it's obvious you have formal training in art. i love that you see the negative space.
awesome win - congratulations.

Dani said...

i'd love to have these framed in my kitchen...

Hi Kooky said...

I know what you mean about seeing shapes and forms. That inspires a lot of my photography too. Beautiful shots, and congrats on the printer win!

GailO said...

You have an artist's eye...I love the shapes and feelings of your photos...These are wonderful!

Char said...

yay!! congrats on winning the printer.

I love negative space and the feeling of creating something in the "nothingness".

ELK said...

a printer ...what a great win...but these images here make me feel like a winner today...they are so artistic!

~h~ said...

Lucky you! Negative space is a great subject. My brother asked me something similiar just a few weeks ago...
Hope all's well. ~h
p.s. I noticed I spelled Mississippi wrong. Hate that! :)

Haphazardkat said...

congrats!!
Well deserved. I love love love your pictures :)

Jaime said...

Congrats on your win!

I love that too...taking pictures of things so up close that they are beyond recognition...just colour and shape.

:)

beth said...

I so know where you are coming from as far as "seeing things" in regards to shapes and designs where others are asking you "what?"...I don't get it !

and I'm not sure the whole vignette thing is right on shutter sisiters either....as far as what tracy meant....because to me I think these are more bokeh... as was the photo that I left on their blog today...just call me a little confused :)

Angela H. said...

These are just ok for me, dog. :) A little Randy Jackson. But seriously, does anyone ever tell you they don't like something? Or that it's just ok? Hmmm. Don't get me wrong, most everything I see of yours is drawjopping amazing. So I'm feeling the need to bring you down a little. Keep it real. Like Randy. No Simon Cowell, though. You'll never hear me bash your work like Simon says...:) I am envious and in awe of how you've progressed. You inspire me. I can see you in the finals. :) Ok, a little Paula in there, too. Ok, I'm loopy. I think I'm just happy that this is the first day of work that I've not felt someone is trying to sabotage me in weeks, and that I'm so happy to look at a blog in my free time, rather than do extra work to keep my job and worry about my job in my free time! Wow, it's got me loopy. Don't take any offense. Just having fun with my sis. Let it be known that I am very proud of my sister's photographing talent. Love you, G.

Angela H. said...

ps, love the shots of the gerls. tried to leave a comment there, but it wouldn't let me. they are all so beautiful. if i was their mom, i'd be saying, "send 'em all!"

nice work!