Positive space in an image refers to the area that draws attention, almost always, the main subject. Conversely, negative space is the area of the image that does not draw attention - the space surrounding the subject.

The negative space in an image can help to emphasise and balance the main subject, giving the subject room to breathe and preventing the image from feeling cluttered.

For the Spaced out challenge we wanted to see images which utilise negative space in the composition. What a fantastic set of images, we felt overall they really conveyed a lot of stories and emotion. Here, in no particular order are our top 10 images.

- Charlotte & Craig 🐶 📸 ✨

Amy Hodson | Wander Pet Photography

There's a lovely sense of serenity in this image, the colours, negative space, sparkly bokeh in the water and the dogs pose all contribute to a wonderful final result.

Brittani White 

What a fantastic use of negative space, the grittiness and texture, the simplified colour palette are great. The way light has been used and is behind the dog is quite unconventional, but with this pose and in this setting it sings.

Christine OBrien | Ruff Life Photography

Lovely light, colours and texture, the little flare adds a touch of magic and the negative space it perfectly applied.

Desiree Nickerson | Born 2 Run Photography

This has immediate impact, the Dalmatian stands out beautifully against those brown tones, the subtle framing around the dog and leading lines of the slip behind give the negative space a sense of place without becoming a distraction.

Erica Schomaker | Ash and Alder Photography

This tiny dog is dwarfed by the giant scale in the background which makes this shot work wonderfully. the motion in the paws is a lovely touch rather than having had the dog stand still.

Ginger Wick | Ginger Wick Photography

What a bold and unconventional placement of the subject in this scene. It results in an image that is striking. The diagonals and pose, very well seen and captured.

Julie Cork | J Cork Photography

This is a simple buy oh so effective example of how to use negative space. Beautiful light, lots of detail and texture in the fur, a great expression and space in all the right places.

Lisa Hanley | Odd Quad Photography

Triangles are a strong compositional element and at the peak of this fluffy pyramid is a little howling face that is irresistible. A great example of where to place negative space, in this case the energy is going upwards, so placing the space above is great.

Sabine Born | Sabine Oexmann Photography

This is a really quirky angle and pose. The simple platinum and champagne colours beautifully harmomise and the little detail of the corrugation compressing together from left to right really pull focus to the dog.

Shandess Griffin | Shand and Your Dogs Photography

This image can be interpreted in so many interesting ways, it's beautifully crafted in both camera and edit and it really stands out as something unexpected for the Space Out Challenge.

Emerge is the second series in our Unleashed Challenge courses and is made up of 12 challenges over 6 months. It’s open to anyone who has completed our first course in the series, Embark.

So much more than just a challenge, the Unleashed Challenges are an invaluable educational resource that will help you build up a go-to list of shots to help create variety in your work. Designed for anyone to be able to complete whether you just want to photograph your own dog or you are a professional pet photographer.

If you'd like to know more head over here to register your interest and we'll send you all the details when enrolment for Embark next opens in May 2025.