It rained about all day yesterday and I became fascinated with the the leaves on the wet parking lot. At lunch I grabbed a camera and ripped off a few images. Here is one for your review and critique.

This type of photo is mostly an exercise in composition and I think you did good-although I also like the focus and exposure.

Hey OT,

I like the juxtaposition of colors and textures. I also agree with MB1 that technique is spot on.

My Mom is a painter, and taught at a JC for decades (She has a MFA from Cal.). Every now then she puts me on her knee for some learning (I'm still no artist.). One of the things she's told me about a lot of negative space is that the silhouette of the subject (ie. mask it out) is very important and should be considered just as strongly as the subject in the composition. I think you executed this well.

Nice job.
Tim

... One of the things she's told me about a lot of negative space is that the silhouette of the subject (ie. mask it out) is very important and should be considered just as strongly as the subject in the composition. I think you executed this well.
Tim ... Can you expand on this a little more?

Tim ... Can you expand on this a little more?

I like to think of it in bicycling terms-negative space is the part of the road that your tires are not on and won't be on. Sure, you don't actually need it but you would not be comfortable riding without it.

http://arthistory.about.com/od/glossary/g/n_negativespace.htm

Hey DR,

It's very simple. In this type of composition, take the outer edge of your subject. The shape made from this should stand on it's own in interest.

I submitted a an image to Photo Critique a while back:

http://forums.photographyreview.com/showthread.php?t=20211

When setting it up. I was trying to work the negative space. My subjects where the column and wheel. If they had no detail what so ever, but just their outline, would the resulting shape be interesting? For me, I liked the rhythm of the wheel spokes, that some of the spokes where not complete, and that the sphere on top of the column was cut in half. Do these shapes hold the viewer on their own? That's the challenge.

Anyway, I do not want to hijack Old Timer's good work here. MB1 also posted a good link. I hope this all makes sense.

Cheers,
Tim
(again, I aint no artist)

No problem about a hijack we are all here to learn and you guys have good info and knowledge to pass on. In this type image the negative space is all important to the overall effectiveness of the image. Hope that this one succeeded.

Here's another from that session.

Hmmm.. The first posting is very sharp, but almost seems like it was taken in a studio with that dark background. I know it's not of course but just seems like it, and there's so much negative space.. But the leaves are well arranged too.

The second posting is different, not as dark a background obviously. But somehow the leaves' placements are too progressive, like a staircase. Not sure it's as good as the first.

GB

I see where your coming from GB and thats why it was the second post the first is my favorite. I must tell you also that I don't rearrange anything when I shoot this way. They are where I found them. I let nature do the arranging I just take the photos. If they were in a studio that's a horse of different color alls fair as it should be.

I like your second image (although that is not to say I don't like the first) for the detail in the blacktop. If it were me I would like to move that leaf in the upper right out of the image. I also like the sand/gravel in the image.

Since it is raining today it looks like I will have a chance to give this a try.......

Larry, these are very good and do make for interesting discussion on composition and techniques. I agree that the shape made by the leaves in the first shot are part of what makes it good. Also, the strong contrast of light color and dark background makes for a strong visual. I had done a few of these on a wooden picinic table and hope to post a few soon.