[Photography] 11 Practical Dog Photography Tips (+ Creative Ideas)

The post 11 Practical Dog Photography Tips (+ Creative Ideas) appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Phil Harris.

If you want to capture stunning photos of your (or your clients’) dogs, then you’ve come to the right place.

In this article, I share my best tips and tricks to take your dog photography to the next level. I discuss lighting, composition, and settings; I also offer plenty of fun little tool ideas to enhance your dog photoshoots, such as fairy lights, prisms, and more.

Ready to capture some creative dog photography? Then let’s dive right in, starting with:

1. Use window light for a flattering effect

Great dog photography starts with great lighting, and for me, that’s window light.

Window light is beautiful, it’s (generally) soft, and it’s great for brightening your subject while letting the background fall into shadow.

To see the power of window light, take a look at these two images:

Not only does the window light brighten up key parts of the dog – while letting other parts fall into shadow for a more three-dimensional effect – it also lets you use a low ISO and a faster shutter speed, which will give you sharper, higher-quality images.

By the way, if you prefer to use flashes or studio strobes, that’s okay, too! Just make sure to cover them up with a modifier for that soft, flattering effect.

2. In a pinch, use your phone light

While window light (or carefully modified artificial light) is ideal for dog photography, it’s not always feasible to shoot near a window.

After all, you might be lounging around the house, notice your dog doing something cute, and want to capture it on camera. In such a situation, you simply cannot move the dog near a window for that perfect lighting! Nor will you have time to set up some flashes or strobes.

So what do you do? The next time you’re faced by a difficult lighting scenario, try whipping out your smartphone, turning on the flashlight, and pointing it at your dog. Test out different angles (45-degree lighting and other forms of sidelight tend to work great!).

3. Create a stunning tinfoil background

Are you a fan of beautiful round bokeh? In my experience, a lovely bokeh effect can take a mediocre dog photo and give it an eye-catching, professional look – but stunning bokeh isn’t always so easy to create.

Enter an amazing DIY dog portrait tool:

Tinfoil!

Simply take some tinfoil, scrunch it up, and unfold it. Position the tinfoil behind the dog, shine a light on it, and – voila! – you’ll get a jaw-dropping bokeh effect:

This technique does require a bit of practice, but to get started, experiment with a wide aperture (f/2.8 is a good starting point), and be sure to move your dog out in front of the foil (the greater the separation between the dog and the foil, the better the background blur).

I’d also recommend you use a short telephoto or zoom lens, preferably above 50mm, and make sure that your foil completely fills the background. Finally, if you’re struggling to get bright-enough bokeh, try lighting the background separately from the dog (here, your smartphone can be a big help!).

4. Shoot dog reflection photos

This dog photography tip may be a bit unconventional, but it’s about as simple as they come, and it’s a great way to capture creative dog shots.

The next time you’re near some water, such as a puddle or a pond, ask your dog to sit. Then carefully angle yourself so that only the dog’s reflection and feet appear in the photo (you may need to get down low).

Then, in post-processing, you can flip the image to create a fantastic illusion:

Cool, right? Of course, you can always experiment with zooming in for reflection headshots, including more of the dog in the photo, and so on.

5. Use a mirror to create negative space

Minimalist dog photos are beautiful; the dog generally takes up a small portion of the frame while the rest of the shot is covered with empty space (e.g., a white wall or an out-of-focus foreground element).

Now, you can always create minimalist shots by working in a large, empty environment, but what do you do if you’re photographing in your house? How can you capture minimalist shots with cluttered surroundings?

It’s simple: Bring in a mirror.

Then widen your aperture to create a narrow depth of field, zoom out to include the dog small in the frame, then put the mirror close to your camera lens. Make sure that the mirror doesn’t cover the dog but does cover the rest of the frame.

That way, if your aperture is wide enough and the mirror is close enough to your camera lens, the mirror surface will be obscured, giving you a beautiful stretch of negative space:

6. Use fairy lights to spice up your dog photography

Fairy lights are cheap, they’re simple to work with, and – when used carefully – they can create stunning bokeh effects:

So grab some fairy lights (Christmas lights can work, too!), then position them in your photo background. You can also have your dog sit on top of them, then shoot down from above.

For the best results, make sure you use a wide aperture. And if the fairy lights aren’t sufficiently blurred, try moving them farther into the background and/or bringing the dog forward.

7. Use perspex to create beautiful foreground reflections

Reflections are a great way to enhance your dog photos. And you can get especially cool effects by positioning a reflective object close to your camera lens, then tilting the object until it creates a reflection of the dog.

That’s how I captured this image, which features interesting reflections along the left-hand side of the composition:

I like to use perspex for this trick – I carry a square of it wherever I go – but you can get a similar effect using a smartphone!

8. Use a prism to create stunning effects

Handheld prisms will create an effect similar to perspex, except the result tends to look far more psychedelic and feature interesting colors:

So if you’re after an especially wild effect, grab a handheld prism, then try placing it between the dog and the camera lens. Feel free to experiment with different angles and different distances – depending on the position of the prism, you’ll get all sorts of interesting results.

9. Shoot into the light for a flare effect

Most photographers try to avoid flare in their photos – but did you know that, by embracing flare, you can capture wonderfully creative results?

Of course, you don’t want to let flare dominate your compositions. But if you can keep the flare to one side of the frame while positioning the dog elsewhere, your main subject will stand out and you’ll get a lovely effect:

How can you create flare? One method is to shoot outside or near a bright window; you’ll need to position the dog so the light comes from behind and shines straight into the lens.

But another, easier way is to simply bring out your trusty smartphone, turn on its flashlight, and shine it directly into the camera!

10. Shoot from a low angle

If you’re after beautifully composed dog portrait photography, then I highly recommend you pay careful attention to the angle of your camera.

You see, many beginner photographers shoot dogs from a standing height, but these images often turn out very detached and even static.

Instead, I recommend you get down on the ground, which will give the viewer a completely different perspective and create beautiful foreground and background blur:

Plus, a low angle will give the viewer a window into the dog’s own little world!

I generally recommend you use a wide aperture for a nice shallow depth of field effect, and you can always combine the low-angle perspective with some of the tricks I’ve shared throughout this article (such as a perspex reflection!).

11. Keep the nearest eye in focus

My final dog photography tip is an essential one:

Always focus on the eye that is nearest to the camera.

And get that eye sharp.

You see, your viewers will pay attention to the subject’s eyes – and if the nearest eye is sharp, then people won’t worry so much about the rest of the image. For instance, as long as you have a sharp near eye, the dog’s body, and even the dog’s nose, can be heavily blurred.

On the other hand, if the nearest eye is blurry, then the image will immediately feel confusing and unbalanced.

So whatever you do, make sure to focus on the nearest eye (here, your camera’s animal eye AF can be hugely helpful!).

Dog photography tips: final words

Hopefully, you now feel inspired to capture some stunning dog photos.

Just remember these tips, and you’ll get incredible results.

Now over to you:

Which dog photography trick do you plan to use first? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Table of contents

Pet Photography

• GENERAL
  • 9 Pet Photography Tips
  • 9 Tips for Taking Better Photos of Cats
  • Beginner's Guide to Photographing Horses
  • Why Taking Pictures of Your Pets Will Help Make You a Better Photographer
  • How to get the Money Shot in Pet Photography
  • What Are Your Pet Photography Peeves?
• PREPARATION
  • 6 Tips for Working with Unruly Animals in Pet Photography
• LIGHTING
  • Tips for Great Lighting for Pet Photography
• GEAR
  • 4 of the Best Lenses for Creative Dog Photography
  • Pros and Cons of Photographing Dogs with a Prime Lens
• CREATIVE TECHNIQUES
  • Five Tips for Creative Pet Photography
  • 10 Amazing Camera Hacks for Better Dog Photography

    • 1. Use window light for a flattering effect
    • 2. In a pinch, use your phone light
    • 3. Create a stunning tinfoil background
    • 4. Shoot dog reflection photos
    • 5. Use a mirror to create negative space
    • 6. Use fairy lights to spice up your dog photography
    • 7. Use perspex to create beautiful foreground reflections
    • 8. Use a prism to create stunning effects
    • 9. Shoot into the light for a flare effect
    • 10. Shoot from a low angle
    • 11. Keep the nearest eye in focus
    • Dog photography tips: final words
    • 1. Use window light for a flattering effect
    • 2. In a pinch, use your phone light
    • 3. Create a stunning tinfoil background
    • 4. Shoot dog reflection photos
    • 5. Use a mirror to create negative space
    • 6. Use fairy lights to spice up your dog photography
    • 7. Use perspex to create beautiful foreground reflections
    • 8. Use a prism to create stunning effects
    • 9. Shoot into the light for a flare effect
    • 10. Shoot from a low angle
    • 11. Keep the nearest eye in focus
    • Dog photography tips: final words
• POST-PROCESSING
  • Fixing Animal Eyes in Lightroom
• BUSINESS
  • Five Things You Need to Know Before Starting a Pet Photography Business
• ADVANCED GUIDES
  • 6 Tips for Photographing Dogs in Action
  • How to Photograph Agility Events and Other Dog Sports
  • How to Shoot Animal Portraits [video]
• INSPIRATION
  • 29 Shots of Dogs Sticking Their Heads out of Car Windows [Humor]
  • 25 Inspirational Dog Portrait Photographs
  • 38 Pet Photos to Amaze and Inspire You
  • 5 Adorable Pet Photos [and How to Make your Shots even Cuter]
  • Today's Dose of Cuteness – a Collection of Cats in Windows and Doors

The post 11 Practical Dog Photography Tips (+ Creative Ideas) appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Phil Harris.

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[Photography] Fire Photography: 7 Expert Tips for Gorgeous Results

The post Fire Photography: 7 Expert Tips for Gorgeous Results appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Guest Contributor.

Fire photography doesn’t have to be scary, and it can be a lot of fun, too – if you know what you’re doing.

As an experienced fire photographer, I’ve discovered all the tips, tricks, and techniques that will guarantee you gorgeous results, including:

• The proper fire photoshoot settings
• How to stay safe while photographing fire
• How to include fire in your compositions

By the time you’re done with this article, you’ll know how to photograph fire like a pro (and you’ll hopefully be inspired by dozens of example images).

Let’s get started.

1. Make sure to photograph fire safely

In the wise words of Frankenstein’s monster, “Fire bad!” This is especially true for photographers.

If you want to do fire photography, you must take fire seriously. The heat and smoke can damage your equipment, the flames can quickly get out of control and burn things down, and – most importantly! – fire can flat out kill you.

Plenty of great fire information can be found on this website, but here are some basic safety tips you should memorize immediately:

• Think ahead and plan your shoot from beginning to end, so you know exactly what will be on fire at any given time and how you’ll be photographing it
• Have a plan for putting out the fire should it get loose
• Do not work near anything that you don’t want on fire
• Work in a well-ventilated area
• Be sure you’re working in a location where, if the worst happens, everything will be okay

Got it? Please, I beg of you: Take proper safety precautions before capturing fire photos. You might believe the rules don’t apply to you, that you’ll be fine, and so on…but that type of thinking is a disaster waiting to happen.

2. Photograph fire as your subject

Fire photography can be done in three main ways:

With fire as the subject, with fire as an accentuating element, and with fire as the primary light source. (Of course, you can mix several of these elements together, but it’s important to understand them individually first.)

And I recommend you start by photographing fire as your subject, simply because it looks really, really cool.

With such fire shots, the main focus is on the flame (or the effects of it) and the detail that is shown within it. I’m talking about shots like this, which feature clear flame detail:

So how do you capture such well-exposed, crisp flames? First, you’ll need to use a fast-enough shutter speed to freeze the flame’s motion. What counts as “fast enough” is relative to what you’re shooting, but start around 1/250s, then take some test shots and boost the shutter speed as necessary.

(Note: As your shutter speed increases, you’ll need to use wider apertures and higher ISOs.)

Exposure can be difficult, as your camera will often want to underexpose the flames to compensate for their incredible brightness. So don’t be afraid to overexpose by a stop or two for perfect flame detail.

I’d also recommend you take a handful of test shots at the beginning of your fire photoshoot. Don’t think about composition, not at the start; instead, focus on nailing the exposure for the flames.

Then, once you’ve determined the perfect flame exposure, you can bring in helpful composition techniques, like the rule of thirds, to position the most prominent flames and to position any subjects in the flames, like this:

While a fast shutter speed is good for freezing flame motion, you may notice that the fire emits interesting sparks (especially if you’re photographing a sparkler!). If that’s the case, slow your shutter speed way down and consider using a tripod.

Slower shutter speeds were key to capturing this photo (it’s a 1.6-second exposure):

And here’s another shot that required an insanely long (30+ second!) exposure to create an interesting abstract effect:

Bottom line:

Fast shutter speeds are good, but slow shutter speeds can work, too. It’s all about what you want to achieve.

3. Photograph fire as an accent

Instead of shooting fire as the primary subject, you may want to try shooting the flame as one element in a larger scene, like this:

These types of shots can be difficult, because you must show both the flames and the surroundings. (Notice how you can see the Hot Wheels reflection in the image above?)

The key here is to expose for the flame and then add light to the rest of the scene. So meter off the flame (here, spot metering is the way to go), take some test shots to make sure you get the result you’re after, then add in light to brighten up the surrounding elements.

If you’re not able to control the lighting situation (e.g., you’re photographing outdoors), then you’ll need to look for shooting angles where you can put the flame against a contrasting background. A darker, solid area is preferable, but anything that offers some contrast should work.

Note how the gray smoke offers a clean, neutral background to highlight the flames:

4. Use fire as a light source

Fire offers soft shadows and warm color, so it makes for a wonderful light source – especially in campfire situations like this one:

Notice how the fire beautifully illuminates the surrounding trees.

But how do you photograph fire with such a magical result? Here are a few quick tips:

1. Use a long shutter speed. While fire looks gorgeous, it’s not very bright. To compensate, you’ll often need to work at 1 second, 5 seconds, or even 30 seconds.
2. Widen your aperture. Again, the goal here is to compensate for the lack of light. If needed, push your aperture to its maximum setting.
3. Boost your ISO. It’s generally a good idea to start with a low ISO – but if you’ve taken some test shots and they’re just not bright, then push your ISO (and keep pushing your ISO until you get the result that you’re after).
4. Pay careful attention to where the light falls. If you’re shooting around a campfire, you can get interesting lighting on subjects a dozen feet from the flames – so don’t feel compelled to crop tight. Instead, get creative with your surroundings.

Also, when working with a wide aperture and therefore a narrow depth of field, try setting your focus on objects with high-contrast edges (like the silhouettes of stationary subjects) instead of the main subject. You’ll technically miss focus, but that’s okay; the shifting fire light will blur edges and soften the shadows of the objects it illuminates, so you should do what you can to nail the hard edges.

Oh, and take advantage of the interesting colors that fire offers…

…and consider emphasizing them in post-processing!

Speaking of which:

5. Learn to control the color of your flame

Take a close look at a flame, and you’ll see multiple colors, gradients, and intensities depending on temperature, fuel type, oxygen quantities, how well the oxygen is mixed with the fuel, and more.

It sounds complicated, and it kind of is. But when it comes to fire photography, a few simple tips should help you control the color of your flame – and get the shots you’re after.

See, when photographing fire, the most influential factor is the fuel being burned. Wood, paper, clothing, or anything else that puts off a lot of unburned particles (smoke) will probably burn yellowish-orange. Butane lighters, propane torches, liquids with high alcohol content, or other fuels that can more easily mix with the available oxygen will burn more on the bluish side.

Blue and yellow don’t satisfy you? Never fear; there are additives (pyrotechnic colorants, to be precise) you can buy to change the color of the flame at will. I found some pre-packaged powders at my local camping store, and they worked pretty well. Or if you’re into chemistry, this article describes which compounds can be used to create which colors.

And you have yet another option: Simply change the color of the fire in post-processing. Because fire colors are so dominant, it’s easy to select the color and adjust it throughout the entire image. I used post-processing to achieve this interesting green flame:

6. Have fun photographing smoke

Smoke can look very cool, but unless you’re taking steps to make sure it appears in your scene, you’ll probably end up with smokeless shots (or totally underwhelming smoke photos, which is almost as frustrating).

Here are three things you can do to highlight smoke and capture gorgeous results:

1. Be certain your fire is making smoke. Fuels that burn efficiently (like some gas torches and alcohols) may not emit much smoke at all. Use inefficient fuels like wood or paper to maximize your smoke output.
2. Light the smoke. A light source shining into the smoke can solidify those lines and help them stand out. Use backlight to create the most powerful effect, while sidelight is better for a mysterious look.
3. Use a fast shutter speed to freeze the smoke trails (start at 1/100s, but increase this if necessary). Slower shutter speeds will make the smoke appear like haze, not well-defined wisps.

Also, be sure to take plenty of images. Smoke is constantly changing shape and direction, so it’s generally not enough to capture one shot and call it a day; instead, take dozens of shots, delete the mediocre ones, and keep your best.

7. Start with a candle

If you want to get started with fire photography but you’re not quite ready to dive in feet first, I recommend you photograph a candle.

Candles are simple, relatively safe, and easy to work with – so you can do plenty of shooting without any high-stakes compositions.

To practice, try to accomplish the three primary types of fire shots I discussed above (fire as a subject, fire as an accent, and fire as a light source).

Then have some fun experimenting. And as you go along, make sure to write down your settings. In particular, determine the shutter speed you need to freeze the flame, as well as the shutter speed you need to illuminate a subject on a table. Finally, use an artificial light source to photograph both the flame and the surrounding environment in a single frame.

How to photograph fire: final words

Well, there you have it:

My favorite tips and techniques for fire photoshoots. Now that you’ve finished this article, you should know how to photograph fire, and you should be inspired and ready to shoot on your own!

Now over to you:

Which of these fire photography techniques is your favorite? Which do you plan to try? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Jon Beard is an adventurer from the mountains of southwestern Virginia. He organizes the regional photo club, leads photography workshops and guided shoots, and has a passion for shooting in the dark. See photos, workshop dates, and more at http://JonBeard.com.

The post Fire Photography: 7 Expert Tips for Gorgeous Results appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Guest Contributor.

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[Photography] dPS Bi-Weekly Photo Challenge – Umbrella

The post dPS Bi-Weekly Photo Challenge – Umbrella appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Sime.

Whoa, so many of you jumped into our last challenge ICM (You can see it here) and made so many awesome photographs! Well done. (Check them out in the Facebook group, too)

This week we’re going two directions – You can choose! – the theme is ‘Umbrella (ella ella ahh ahh ah, ok sorry) and you can use that word however you would like (in two ways, ha)

One – “Umbrella”,” simply a photograph with an umbrella in it! or Two – It can be that you USED umbrellas to make your photograph. (See below) Which will you choose? Are you into lighting? A kit like this is what I started with, if you’re keen to learn! We have loads of ‘flash stuff’ on dPS, too.

The afternoon sun on a Thai beach… Can I go back there please!

Two Godox flash in two umbrellas was plenty enough for this shoot!

Make sure you include the hashtags #dPSWeeklyChallenge and #dPSUmbrella in your post, here in the comments or over on social media. You can tag us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter!

Find all of our previous weekly challenges here.

Simply upload your shot into the comment field (look for the little camera icon in the Disqus comments section) and they’ll get embedded for us all to see or if you’d prefer, upload them to your favourite photo-sharing site and leave the link to them. Show me your best images in this week’s challenge. Sometimes it takes a while for an image to appear so be patient and try not to post the same image twice.

Share in the dPS Facebook Group

You can also share your images in the dPS Facebook group as the challenge is posted there each week as well.

The post dPS Bi-Weekly Photo Challenge – Umbrella appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Sime.

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[Photography] The Rule of Space in Photography: A Comprehensive Guide (+ Examples)

The post The Rule of Space in Photography: A Comprehensive Guide (+ Examples) appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Megan Kennedy.

In this article, I’m going to answer all your questions about the rule of space in photography:

What it is. How it works. And how you can use it for amazing results.

Specifically, by applying the rule of space to photography, you can embrace the quieter moments in visual imagery – and you can amplify the impact of your subject by balancing positive and negative compositional elements.

Let’s dive right in.

Canon 5D Mark II | Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II with extension tubes | f/2 | 1/8000s | ISO 500

What is the rule of space in photography?

The rule of space in photography is a method of incorporating visual absence to give a subject room to breathe.

Although the rule of space is more like a guide than a rigid rule, it is a handy compositional device. It’s a great way to add a sense of vastness, depth, and/or motion to a photograph.

Why is the rule of space important?

To understand the rule of space, we first need to take a brief look at positive and negative space.

Photographers use the terms positive space and negative space to contrast impactful and more subtle areas in a photograph.

Generally, positive space refers to specific subjects that command a viewer’s attention. Negative space, on the other hand, is less visually demanding and provides a frame for the main event in an image.

For example, in the image below, the clouds represent positive space, whereas the sky and dark shadows create the negative space that frames the main subject:

Canon 5D Mark IV | Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM | f/10 | 1/500s | ISO 100

So where does the rule of space in photography fit in?

In general terms, the rule of space governs the use of negative space within an image. By understanding the nature of the rule of space, a photographer can harness the intent of a subject, as well as add depth and perspective to the image.

The rule of space is important because it aids a photographer in articulating the energy of a photograph – and it guides the viewer’s eye by sculpting key visual events and affording the subject more room to move.

Working with the rule of space: the basics

To work with the rule of space in photography, first consider the behavior of your subject.

Ask yourself: What is the subject doing? Is it moving or stationary? How does it occupy space?

At the same time, visualize what you want to convey in the photograph. Is it movement? Perspective? Depth? Narrative?

The nature and behavior of your subject plus your intent should together determine how you apply the rule of space.

Perspective

One of the main ways the rule of space can impact a photograph is through perspective. Abundant space around a subject can make the subject appear smaller or larger depending on the camera angle.

For example, a subject photographed from a high angle, surrounded with minimal detail, can seem smaller and more immersed in negative space:

Canon 5D Mark IV | Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM | f/5.6 | 1/200s | ISO 100

Conveying momentum

The rule of space in photography can help you create the impression of movement.

To convey action, the rule suggests that space should be left either in front of or behind the subject (or both).

For example, if a subject is moving across a scene, you can aim to capture both the subject and the negative space surrounding the subject. The extra space conveys the subject’s movement, adding the momentum a tight crop may lack.

Allowing a subject room to move adds momentum.
Canon 5D Mark II | Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM | f/10 | 1/640s | ISO 250

Adding depth

The rule of space in photography is not limited to highly active subjects; it works for stationary subject matter, too!

For example, in portraiture, your composition can be governed by pairing the gaze or gesticulations of the subject with negative space. A subject’s gaze naturally directs our attention – we want to see what the subject sees.

But when a gaze is met by negative space, the viewer’s eye will often naturally return to the original source of the gaze. The rule of space provides an organic way of adding depth and directing viewer attention.

You can also use the rule of space with non-human/animal subject matter – based on their movement, perceived gesticulations, and extensions. By following the momentum, composition, or behavior of a non-human subject, you’ll find ideal placements for negative space.

In the example below, I surrounded several blossoms with negative space; this additional room suggests growth and depth. It also highlights the detail in the individual florets.

Leaving extra room around specific flower heads to articulate their elemental composition is one way to emphasize non-human subjects through the rule of space.
Canon 5D Mark II | Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II with extension tubes | f/2.5 | 1/1250s | ISO 200

Rule of space challenges

The process of applying the rule of space to photographs is not that difficult in itself. However, a tendency to cram each image with as much visual information as possible can get in the way of exploring negative space.

Instead, deliberately and mindfully take a minimalist approach. You can also zoom out or physically take a few steps back from a subject to refocus on the rule of space.

Tips and techniques for working with the rule of space

Here are a few tips for working with the rule of space:

Tip 1: Use other compositional rules, too

Applying the rule of space to your photography doesn’t have to come at the cost of other compositional rules.

In fact, combining compositional tenets with the rule of space in photography can increase the chances of creating a successful photograph.

Compositional rules such as the rule of thirds, leading lines, depth of field, and repetition can all be used in conjunction with the rule of space to create engaging imagery.

Canon 5D Mark IV | Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM | f/5 | 30s | ISO 100

Tip 2: Let it breathe

The rule of space is all about giving a subject or a scene room to breathe.

So step back, zoom out, or even try a wider lens; that way, you can add a sense of spaciousness to your photos.

Tip 3: Experiment with different camera settings

Your choice of camera settings can help follow the rule of space more effectively.

For instance, you might use a shallow depth of field to surround a subject with negative space. You could also try using a slow shutter speed and panning your camera while leaving space before or after a subject to amplify movement.

You can amplify perspective with the rule of space in photography.
Canon 5D Mark II | Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM | f/5.6 | 1/125s | ISO 200

The rule of space in photography: conclusion

The rule of space aims to create a mindful harmony of positive and negative space.

And by applying this rule, you can emphasize and frame positive subject matter while generating an evocative balance of weight and weightlessness within an image.

So the next time you’re out with your camera, remember the rule of space – and do what you can to apply it in your images!

Now over to you:

Have you been using the rule of space in your photos? How are you going to change your compositions to improve your use of space? Share your thoughts (and photos!) in the comments below.

Rule of space FAQs

What is the rule of space?

In visual art, the rule of space guides your inclusion of negative space within an image.

What is negative space?

Generally, negative space refers to areas in a photograph that are not occupied by the main subject matter. Often, negative space serves as a frame to emphasize the key subjects in an image.

How do photographers use the rule of space in composition?

The rule encourages photographers to make use of negative space. There are many ways to do this. You can focus on coupling subjects with negative space by selecting minimalist backdrops, or you can pair the gaze of a portrait subject with additional negative space.

Who are some photographers that use the rule of space?

There are countless photographers who make use of the rule of space. For example, photographers Martin Parr and Helen Levitt made striking use of the rule, as well as Hiroshi Sugimoto, Michael Kenna, and Eric Kim.

When can I break the rule of space in photography?

Photography is all about developing personal creative instincts and approaches. That’s why compositional rules can be broken. The rule of space in photography is simply a guide – so if an image looks better without extra space, then go with your instincts. And if you aren’t sure, try taking a series of photos with different spatial approaches and analyze the results.

The post The Rule of Space in Photography: A Comprehensive Guide (+ Examples) appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Megan Kennedy.

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