Lens-Artists,  Photographic techniques,  Themed galleries

Gallery: a balance between full and empty

January 18, 2026 / 57 Comments

There is a poetic nature to minimalism that is about striking a balance between full and empty

Jennie C. Jones, American abstract artist

There’s a tendency when we photograph something to want to fill the frame. Empty space around our subject can feel like a waste, while omitting anything may feel as if we’re not telling the whole story. But good composition is all about balance, and clutter in an image can make it hard to ‘read’.

Negative space isn’t empty space. It’s there for a reason and tells part of the story without competing with the story. It provides breathing room for your subject, and a place where your eyes can relax. It’s not busy. But it’s also not empty.

For me, negative space is the essence of minimalism. It’s about stripping out overly complicated patterns and textures, fiddly elements that distract from the main focus of your image. Yin any photograph you want the viewer to know where to look, and you do this using compositional tools whether they be leading lines directing the eye, the ‘rule’ of thirds positioning your subject at a particular point … or using negative space to leave room for your subject to breathe.

A favourite technique of mine is to combine the rule of thirds with the use of negative space. This creates a minimalist image where a single subject is allowed to dominate without seeming ‘pushy’.

High key images often work well with a minimalist, negative space, treatment. Good subjects include water, snow and ice, reflections, building details, leaves etc. And some subjects are naturally minimalist, such as modern (and sometimes more ancient) architecture.

We’ve looked at minimalism before in the Lens Artists challenge, back in September 2022, but on that occasion I used colour images. This time Ritva is asking for black and white, which suits this style so well. So I’ve taken some of my favourite minimalist shots and converted them to black and white using Nik Silver Efex. And if you don’t count my featured image (taken at Tioga Lake in Yosemite National Park), I’ve managed to stick to her limit of just ten – with difficulty!

At Muir Beach, California

Sunset reflection, Bardia National Park, Nepal

Frozen lake in Reykjavik, Iceland

My friend Yvonne at SkĂłgafoss, Iceland

Twisted vines, Cartagena, Colombia

Frida Kahlo’s home in CoyoacĂĄn, Mexico

In the Iglesia de San Pedro Claver, Cartagena, Colombia

San Francisco de Asis, Ranchos de Taos, New Mexico

Barbed wire, Tuol Sleng, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Soapberry bugs, Iharana Bush Camp, Madagascar

57 Comments

Do share your thoughts, I'd love to hear from you! And please include your name in case WP marks you 'anonymous' - thank you