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One of the other forums I am on is having a weekly challenge on negative space and I'm putting this image up. Not sure if it qualifies as negative space in the true sense.
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It does as I understand negative space, John. I would probably allow just a little more space on the right. Have you tried it with more space at the top as well. I like the shape of the subject. -
Well, it's different to your "normal" posts John. Negative space doesn't mean blank space - it just means the area surrounding the main subject. Your image is a great interpretation of negative space. The background however could be anything other than white space as long as it doesn't draw the eye away from the main subject.
What I see viewing your image for the genre "Negative Space":
I would suggest flip it horizontally - I've given reasons on several occasions.
More room at the bottom - too tight.
It's almost a "High Key" image as well. That may be a bonus, but I would darken the subject slightly.
Perhaps cast a bit of shadow next to or around the bowl?
The plant/flower doesn't seem to have anything anchoring it and looks as though it might fall over in that shallow bowl. Is it tied up in some way?
I'm not sure what the mark is (circled).
I Shoot A Canon
Web: isacimages.com / My Gear / Flickr Photostream
My memory's not as sharp as it used to be.
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Thanks for the feedback guys, especially your detailed observations Isac. Adding more space and flipping horizontally are easy, adding the shadow is going to be a harder task, for me at least.Comment
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Edits as suggested.
The colour version for comparison.
Isac, the vessel that the flower arrangement is sitting in is actually a wine decanter, here is a close up of the neck which you had circled in yellow.
Last edited by Grumpy John; 14-07-2022, 01:54 PM.Comment
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The 2 videos I watched were one from PIXimperfect showing how to add a shadow to some blocks of soap, and one from Blue Lightning TV showing how to add a shadow to a can of Coke. Both of these shadows were made from solid objects. I am having trouble selecting all of my object because of the opacity of the vase and the lighter petals as they are close to the BG colour. Maybe I'm being too fussy with my selection. -
Either, I have created TIFF files of both with all layers flattened so there is just a base layer to start with.
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Darken objects (to create better selections) using Channels
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1. Open image as a locked BG layer.
2. Select BG layer then select Channels.
3. Select BLUE channel, Right Click on the Blue Channel and click 'Duplicate Channel...", then OK.
4. Turn ON the Blue copy and turn OFF the Blue. RGB, Red, Green and Blue should all be OFF.
5. Ctrl+L for a LEVELS adjustment. Slide the black to 220 then OK. You should have a good selection of everything.
6. Click the dotted circle (bottom of Channels Panel) to select the object background (White).
7. Click on the RGB thumbnail to turn on all channels then click the "Layers" tab.
8. Back in the Layers Panel, Press CTRL + SHIFT + I to invert the selection.
9. Create a new layer ("+" bottom of Layers Panel)
10. Fill the selection with BLACK - (With black as foreground, press ALT + Backspace OR ALT + Del)
11. Press CTRL + D to deselect.
That's it, you should now have a totally black shadow layer to drag and manipulate where you want it. Use distort or warp to shape it to what suits.
To place the shadow behind the object, place a copy of the BG above the shadow layer, then double click it to show the Layer Style box. In "Blend If" slide the white slider on "This Layer" to about 240. This will hide all WHITE pixels in the top layer, revealing the shadow.
Once you have the shadow shaped and in the correct position, to make it look real you can add a Black and White gradient mask layer above the shadow layer to make the shadow fade as it gets further away from the subject. If you want some screenshots, just ask.
Cheers, Greg.I Shoot A Canon
Web: isacimages.com / My Gear / Flickr Photostream
My memory's not as sharp as it used to be.
Also, my memory's not as sharp as it used to be.Comment
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Thanks for the detailed guide Isac, will have a go at it later this arvo. -
Not too sure how to go about this part:
"Once you have the shadow shaped and in the correct position, to make it look real you can add a Black and White gradient mask layer above the shadow layer to make the shadow fade as it gets further away from the subject."
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This is where I'm up to.
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Here Tis. With screenshot of layers.
Add Gradient to a Shadow: Name the shadow layer "SHADOW".
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1. Reset to default colours "D" and add a NEW blank Layer above the Shadow Layer ("+"). Name it "FADE"
2. Turn OFF the SHADOW layer.
3. CTRL + Click on the SHADOW Layer thumbnail to make a selection of the shadow shape.
4. Select the gradient tool (black to white linear) and on the FADE layer click on the bowl and (with mouse down), draw diagonally to just past the top leaf. The FADE layer will now be a gradient of the shadow shape.
5. Convert the FADE layer to a Smart Object.
6. Go to: Filter > Blur Gallery > Field Blur ...
7. At the base of the bowl, click and set the blur to 6px. Click again midway up the shadow and set to 10px. You can change those settings by clicking on either point and making the changes. Click OK.
* You can delete the SHADOW layer if you want.
** I reduced opacity on the FADE layer to 70% for a less harsh shadow. I also erased (soft brush) some of the FADE layer in the bowl but these are optional edits.
I Shoot A Canon
Web: isacimages.com / My Gear / Flickr Photostream
My memory's not as sharp as it used to be.
Also, my memory's not as sharp as it used to be.Comment
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