9. STRIVE FOR BALANCE
SKILLFUL USE OF negative space includes keeping the composition simple (no distracting elements) and striking a good balance between the area occupied by your subject and the area of empty space surrounding the subject. Just because negative space is considered “empty” does not mean it doesn’t carry visual weight.
So how do you know you have the balance? It’s really a matter of trial and error, as well as practice. The rules aren’t carved in stone, and you may find that different subjects change the balance, so stay open to experimentation. When in doubt, start by giving the empty space twice as much real estate as your subject ...
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