Negative space, in art, is defined as the area that surrounds the subject of an image. Think the black blanket of night cast against the jagged edges of a skyscraper, or the misty blue ocean punctuated by a lone figure in the middle. Cutting out the excess, eliminating the drama, negative space allows our eyes to focus on the subject of an image, no matter how subtle it may be. It also allows us to revel in the beauty of simplicity, the artistic equivalent of staring at a cloudless sky.
By Thomas Lim
Today we're honoring a group of photographers who know the power of negative space. The following images were contributions to Eyeem's Negative Space Challenge, which dared artists to utilize empty space in radical and inviting ways. Below you'll see the power of negative space as realized by painted walls, blue skies, concrete streets and shadowy interiors.
To see more contributions from the photo challenge, visit Eyeem's blog here.
By Roj Bagz
By Shio
By Shinnya
By XeNcHeN
By David
By urban poetry
By menboong
By Andrew Hays
By Louie
By Adrianna
By Minnie Mun
By no space art
By Silvia
By shabab
By Shinnya