Photography Composition :: Simplification and Negative Space
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- čas přidán 29. 08. 2024
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In this video we will talk about 2 concepts for visual composition, simplification and negative space.
Simplification is the reduction of elements in the composition to only what is necessary for the picture. Its a concept very difficult for photographers for a number of reasons. If you are creating the art - in other words, you are drawing or painting, its more natural not to add things to the composition that aren't important. But as photographers - particularly if you're not in a studio, we don't have the ability often to physically remove objects from what we are photographing. This means sometimes you have to reconsider your angle, point of view or any number of changes to the way you're shooting that will interrupt your normal process. This can be quite difficult.
For example, if you're shooting a landscape and there is a street light in the frame, the light might be more distracting to the composition than needed. This is an obvious example, but say you're doing architectural work. Are there chairs in the composition? Do they need to be there? Is their placement complementing what you are trying to say with the image? Simplification is pairing down subjects to only the essential.
Its worth noting that this sounds like minimalism. While reducing elements is a big part of minimalism, it doesn't imply that your photograph is minimalist. On the base level, it simply means that everything in the composition is there to serve a purpose and no element is distracting.
The second technique we'll cover in this video is "negative space". Negative space is simply areas of low texture or activity that contrast the subject and allow it to "breathe". This is very natural to how we exist as humans. Being in a situation that's too crowded can make us feel stifled or claustrophobic. Images are similar. We create interest by allowing things room. This also creates impact and gives importance to subjects that contrast this negative space. Negative space can be simple backgrounds, skies, flat colors, black, white, etc.
These techniques are quite simple, but they are both surprisingly difficult to get a handle on - particularly for photographers.
Over 400k views, only 113 comments. I think there is a real hunger for this type of content. It might not be as popular as latest gear reviews, but it is much more valuable, and timeless.
Can you bring back videos like this please? I loved the theory and artist videos from the early days.
Knowing your stuff is one thing, but being able to communicate it to others is what separates the real great teachers. Thank you Ted, for all your great videos on so many subjects. You are very inspirational to me!
Just recently became much more interested in photography, purchased some adequate gear, and started doing some learning. Imagine my surprise when I found that a lot of photographers are trying to learn what I've been doing most of my life, which is composing drawings and paintings. There are some great art books that are available for composition studies, such as anything about the old masters (Leonardo, Michelangelo, Rembrandt, etc.), and a little book by Molly Bang called "How Pictures Work." Also, anything by Steve Huston (his book or his video lessons....be careful! You may become so excited that you spend more time drawing and painting than taking photos. He's THAT good.) Also, watching Feng Zhu paint on his CZcams channel demonstrates a lot of great rules of composition.
Really enjoying the channel, Mr. Forbes. Have a great day.
I just gotta say I’m pretty new to the photography field and these videos are cheaper and easier to listen to than a college course. Invaluable.
So much of You Tube photography content is 'video pulp', shot through with waffle and indifferent presentation. Yours is the polar opposite - professional, articulately expressed and compelling. Top drawer stuff.
Thank you, Ted. The Stravinsky cropping at the end is so cool.
Completely binging these videos! I love the balance of education and pure entertainment of looking at all the amazing photography classics.
hmmm, just happened upon this video and your other one about the rule of odds today.there are a great many videos on YT to show me how to master HDR, or this or that technique in Lightroom,
and yes, they've helped me grow my _technical_ proficiency, but this stuff, about composition... wow. This is a seminal moment for me, because you've shed a very bright light on what I find to be a dark art, which is, how to 'see' a shot. For a long time I've assumed the 'eye' for composition was a gift people either just had, or they didn't, and something that couldn't be taught. But what you've given us here goes way, way beyond the usual "rule of thirds", "have something in the foreground" type generic advice on composition you find in every photography text. And the way you've explained, in a clear and demystifying way, the concepts behind the art, I found it *incredibly* helpful and gives me tools to reflect on, and begin to understand, why so many of my shots haven't worked, and why some have. And of course, what I will be doing in future, to improve.thank you very, very much.
Thank YOU for watching!
You're the reason why I am going to be great!
watching your videos really makes me feel like im in a college class for photography ! its great thank you
I just came across your channel today and I absolutely LOVE it. You have amazing content. These are exactly the kind of things I want to learn about. And you're also good at explaining.
Thank you Ted! I've never had better photography classes in the architecture school that I have attended. There is some real value in your videos that is way beyond 'another yt video about photography'. Best!
As a new photographer, I found this video very inspiring and informational. I, now, have some great photographers to study and model after. Thank you for this gem! Also, wow...this video was made almost a decade ago. I love youtube for making this platform available.
Glad it was helpful!
Videos about design language in photography are so rare in comparison to other subjects... this video is a little gold nugget. Thank you Ted!!!
Dear Ted F, I am back again and learning more, could not sleep, because I want to hear your lecture again today, loving all the lessons! I m not on the street tonight :-)
Merci a lot... see you tomorrow!
I loveeeeeeeeee your channel Ted. Your videos have, and will continue to stand, the test of time. While I have been familiar with your newest videos for some time now, only recently have I discovered the rich treasure trove of your older work. Brilliant lessons, thanks and blessings from London.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us... I've learned a lot. I love negative space photography and I think that is my style.
Thank you for showing me this.
Good to know about minimalism. Thank you for the free episodes. Youre are doing something priceless
I saw figure to ground relationships on another channel recently, which got me interested in it. Your explanation was the icing on the cake. And it was good to hear about negative space. Some of the examples you let us see, were pretty incredible (especially that Arnold Newman picture). If you ever have the time/inclination I would love to see a new version of this topic. These older videos are very well-worth watching probably don't get into top area of many recommended watching lists anymore which is very sad.
Such a great resource of photographic knowledge. Thanks for sharing it. Even I knew some of these concepts, this is really refreshing for me.
Love, love your videos. I am understanding composition and your videos has brought me a lot of light! thanks!
10 years ago amazing video quality, & amazing content!
Great explanation about negative space. I tend to be a minimalist/abstract photographer myself; that's what I aim for. Great lesson, helped me a lot to wrap my head around composition better.
I am watching the podcast before going to bed. It is so very energising and creative!! Thank you for the videos.
your videos are great Ted. I also make photography tutorials but from a very different perspective. So I'm learning a lot from you. Thank you. Great speaking skills also! I can't say everything in one shot. I have to edit heavily after recording :D greetings from Spain!
Hey Runben its a pleasure see you here
WOAH THE LEGEND ONCE A BEGINNER NICEEE TO SEE YOU HERE
THIS IS ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC AS USUAL
this has to be the best photography channel on youtube. really great information, definitely appreciate the work you put into these videos.
thanks for sharing your ideas...i loved this type of Photography...minimalism and negative space...
Hi Ted,
Thank you for this great podcast! Very inspiring and amazing photo's you showed.
With warm regards,
Dennis
The Netherlands
This is very good to point out. I first came across the idea of negative space when I studied basic art in college.
Hey Ted, awesome videos! I think you are one of the best out there in videoland! You enlighten and inspire many people. It's also great to have someone that is not simpy pushing more tech gear down our throats. Thanks and keep up the great work.
This comment is late to the party however, please allow me to add; this video is most helpfully to viewers as myself who are striving self-edification. Of equal importance to the images are the names of the celebrated photographers. One can easily find follow-up exercises by researching the work of the sighted masters. Thank you.
Great absolutely great, love the information. Thanks TED feast stuff with the mini series on Composition
Beautiful! This is the first episode that I watched. You have my interest Ted. I'll be watching more. First Class!
I learn so much from your videos, thank you Ted!
the algorithm pulled this out of your catalogue as a recommendation after i watched a more recent composition video from you, pretty good! no squarespace sponsor in this one haha, gotta admin that easy donation feature they added is pretty cool
Amazing professional video. I love how much about composition I could study. All best
Like David Bailey as a professional photographer I’m always looking for negative space, I like to draw attention to the product that I’m shooting mostly that’s clothing with hot looking girls, I’m creating a positive space! ThanksTed,
That 'negative kiss' is amazing. I thought it was a plant! :D
Isn't it? I thought it was some kind of ballera at first :))
Brilliant video. There’s so much great photography to learn from and just enjoy!
Several of the negative space examples presented are square format. My experience is that a square canvas leads to very different composition rules. It is a completely different world in comparison to the more commone portrait or landscape formats.
In square you can get away with things much more off center or even half way over the edge of the frame that would be absolutely no-go in 3:2, for example. Furthermore, square is so different that you can only compose square looking through a square viewfinder. It seems to me that square is a very special case that lends itself to more abstract, minimalistic compositions. Square calls for - actually yells for - a lot of negative space.
i found this episode very helpfull, thanks
11:234- Wow! I literally couldn't make out it was anything beyond a plant till you pointed it out! I wonder whether this was Man Ray's deliberate spin on the famous vases-faces illusion.
Ted is still relevant in 2020. Coolest guy
Really great video! Very amazed with the simplicity you get to explain abstract concepts.
Hi Ted, Excellent videos.. I love them all, really opening my eyes up!
Just wanna say thanks as usual! Very informative
I dig what your saying about outside photography can be unreliable compared to a studio which the light source is more reliable
Thought provoking. Thanks.
Thanks Ted. Well done.
Its the same principal. Negative Space is an area of low activity that contrasts the subject.
I love this videos and they really help !
By the way are you on a green screen ?
Great work!!!
Thank you, I am learning much from you.
Own your puns, don't be weak, rise above.
Great videos as always.
10:31 Amazing photograph!
Excellent ted, thank you.
I enjoy all your videos ,,, great channel.
Hi Ted. Interesting video, enjoyed it. Thanks for showing those photographer's cool photos as examples.
wow this video is 7 years old!? Ted has been around since ages :o
audiofiles appreciates this gorgeous audio, awesome job!
Excellent channel. Greetings from Brasil.!
Thanks for this. Is going to help me with an abstract sound art video I am working on about mass surveillance. New to video but these will help me compose my shots
Hi Ted - would it not be easier to explain if you spoke and explained while looking at an image? Rather than "we'll look at it in just a second" and 5 minutes have past?
itsgoode2bking I felt the same way, 5.54 mins before it got going but I had lost interest by then unfortunately
itsgoode2bking I felt the same way, 5.54 mins before it got going but I had lost interest by then unfortunately
you're attention span isn't even 6 minutes?
lennart surewaard sorry you feel that way, I'm only trying to give constructive feed back but I won't bother in future. That's what the comment section is for after all. And re your sarcastic comment- aren't you supposed to grab the viewers attention within seconds???? Otherwise you lose their interest/focus. We're not machines after all
I was done at 4 minutes. Wanted to use this for my High school students. They would be done at 2.
enjoying this series Ted. Cheers!
Love it. Thank you.
Great and valuable video!
This is great, very enjoyable and educational. thank you.
Great videos you make, love these on composition and those on analog photography especially much. Thank you very much :-)
some great images there... inspiration
Great info as always. Thank you.
excellent topic improve my photographic field.
Very interesting all your posts. Great work!
thank you, helpful and informative tutorials....
very good video very informative keep up the good work . and thank you
Composition nexl level.. very nice
Loved this class... :)
Ted -- whose photograph is the one of the woman standing before a white wall?
Another term is the"figure-ground" relationship .
Thanks
damn, sounds like you recorded your vocals in the headley grange stairwell with that much reverb.
that's great, friend thanks ! :)
Greetings from sunny Puerto Rico.
Thanks Ted. Inspiring. Where's my camera.....
What about negative space in colour?
thanks
great audio!!!
Hey it's Ted Forbes!
This i not hard or work for me, it is what I do I ocd with removing clutter from images. I yake everything i can out of the composition but when not possible I can spend 6 hours in photoshop / image.
Thank you for this :)
Got me thinking.
Ver nice channel, thank you a lot :)
What is the "goal" of photography. What do I want to achieve when I put my finger on the trigger?
The minimalist images were ok, but technically uninteresting. Sort of the thing a HS teenager who loves art will hang as a poster.
I actually love using "extra" negative space, but 5 sticks in the water on a white background just doesn't cut it for me personally.
Goat!
dude thanks
Why do so many photography guides talk so much of balance being important, when people like robert kenna does just fine without balance?
Control? What is there to control? Just take pictures.
'Dynamism' :-)
negative space