Using Positive Space in Photography
- Patrick Jarina
- Jun 28
- 10 min read
When you’re first getting into photography, especially as a traveller capturing your adventures, you’ll likely hear a lot about composition. One of the key aspects of composition that often gets overlooked by beginners is something called "positive space." Understanding and using positive space in photography can completely change the way your photos look and feel. In this blog, we’re going to break it all down in a friendly, easy-to-understand way.
Whether you're snapping shots of mountains in Scotland, narrow streets in Italy, or vibrant markets in Morocco, learning how to use positive space can help you take your images from average to eye-catching.
What is Positive Space in Photography?
Let’s start with the basics. Positive space in photography is the main part of your photo — the subject that you want people to notice straight away. It could be a smiling local, a colourful market stall, a quirky building, or even a cup of coffee at a street-side café. Whatever it is, it’s the part of your image that grabs attention. Think of it as the "star" of your photo.
Now, on the flip side, we’ve got something called negative space. That’s everything in the background or the areas that surround your main subject. It might be sky, walls, pavement, or just empty space. While we’re focusing mainly on positive space here, it’s worth knowing that both work together to create balance and help tell a story in your image.
So why is positive space such a big deal? Because the way you use and frame your main subject can make your photo feel clean, well-balanced, full of energy, or even emotional. It's what gives your photo direction and purpose. If your subject is clear and well-placed, your photo will instantly become more powerful and easier for people to enjoy. And once you get the hang of using positive space properly, your travel photography will go from random snapshots to meaningful, memorable images that really capture the spirit of the moment.
Why Positive Space is a Big Deal for Travel Photographers
When you’re out and about travelling, things move fast. You don’t always have time to pause, set up a tripod, or think through every detail of your composition. More often than not, you’re reacting to what’s happening around you — capturing moments as they unfold. That’s why knowing how to spot and use positive space quickly is such an important skill.
When you’ve got a good understanding of positive space, you can:
Quickly decide what your photo should focus on – so you’re not just snapping randomly, but capturing something with intention.
Create more impactful and meaningful images – even in busy or unpredictable places.
Make your travel photos look more polished and visually appealing – without needing fancy gear or hours of editing.
Imagine this: you're walking through a lively street market in a new city. There's colour everywhere, people moving in all directions, sounds, smells – it’s a feast for the senses. But in a photo, all that energy can just turn into chaos. If you don't choose a clear subject, your picture can end up feeling messy and confusing.
Now, let’s say you spot a spice vendor with a bright smile and bold orange turmeric piled high on their stall. You take a moment, frame your shot with that vendor as your clear positive space, and let the surrounding market blur into the background. Suddenly, your photo has purpose. It tells a story. It draws the viewer in.
That’s the magic of positive space — it brings clarity to the chaos. It helps you say, “Look at this,” in a way that feels natural and powerful. And once you get used to thinking this way, it becomes second nature every time you lift your camera or phone.
How to Identify Positive Space in Your Scene
Spotting the positive space in any scene starts with one simple question: What do I want people to notice?
That’s your starting point. Once you know what your photo is really about, everything else should work around it.
Here are a few helpful tips to guide you:
Look for strong subjects – These are things that naturally pull the viewer’s eye. It might be a cheerful local vendor, a colourful door in a quiet alley, a street performer mid-act, or even a striking shadow on a wall. If something stands out to you, there’s a good chance it could be your positive space.
Trust your gut – Often, your instincts will lead the way. That thing you noticed first — the reason you paused to take a photo — is likely your positive space. Don’t overthink it.
Isolate the subject – Try to compose your photo so that your main subject doesn’t get lost in the clutter. You don’t always need a plain background, but make sure the subject stands out clearly. You can do this by changing your angle, moving in closer, or adjusting your focus.
When you’re travelling, it’s not always about having the perfect scene. Sometimes, it’s about waiting. Wait for the crowd to move just enough so your subject stands alone. Or hang back for a moment until the sunlight hits a building just right. These small pauses can make a huge difference in how your positive space comes through in the final image.
Remember, identifying the positive space is like choosing the main character in your visual story. Once you’ve picked them out, you can start building the rest of your photo around them.
Techniques to Use Positive Space Effectively
Here are some easy but powerful ways to bring out the best in your positive space when taking travel photos:
1. Fill the Frame
Don’t be afraid to get up close and personal with your subject. Let it take up most or all of your frame. This removes distractions and tells the viewer, “This is what matters.”
Example: Imagine you're at a street food stall in Thailand. Instead of snapping the whole stall, zoom in on a vibrant bowl of green curry, letting the details — the steam, the colours, the textures — fill the shot. There’s no confusion; your subject is clear and mouth-watering.
2. Use Contrast
A great way to make your positive space stand out is to place it against something that’s visually different — whether in colour, brightness, texture or shape.
Example: Think of a bright red umbrella on a rainy, grey street in Edinburgh. That pop of colour against a muted background instantly catches the eye and makes the subject shine.
3. Lead the Eye
Use natural lines or shapes in the scene to guide the viewer’s eye directly to your positive space. These could be roads, fences, beams of light, or even a trail of footprints.
Example: Walking through a Moroccan alley, you might find a narrow street with repeating archways that naturally pull your gaze towards a person walking at the far end. You didn’t just take a photo — you led your audience into it.
4. Play with Focus
One of the most effective tools for highlighting positive space is focus. Use a shallow depth of field (where the background is blurred) to keep all eyes on your main subject.
Example: In an Amsterdam flower market, focus sharply on one vibrant tulip in the foreground, letting the rest blur softly behind it. That single tulip becomes the hero of your image.
5. Keep It Simple
Sometimes, the simplest shots are the most striking. A cluttered background can steal attention from your subject, so don’t be afraid to strip things back.
Example: Picture a quiet Greek beach. Instead of trying to include the whole view, frame a photo of just a single pair of sandals left in the sand. That small detail, all on its own, tells a much stronger story.
These five techniques are easy to try and don’t require special equipment. They’re about slowing down just enough to see what matters most in a scene — and giving it the space it deserves to shine.
Giving Your Positive Space Room to Breathe
When it comes to photography, balance is everything. It’s not just about finding an interesting subject — it’s also about how you place that subject within the frame. That’s where negative space comes in.
Think of positive space as the main event — the part of the photo you want people to notice first. Negative space, on the other hand, is the quieter part of the image. It’s the empty areas that surround your subject — the sky, a plain wall, a field, or a stretch of sea. These empty spaces aren’t wasted at all — they’re incredibly useful. They help your main subject stand out even more.
Giving your positive space some breathing room makes your photo feel more relaxed, clear, and thoughtful. If you cram your subject into every bit of the frame, it can start to feel a bit tight or overwhelming. But when you leave some space around it, your photo becomes easier to look at, and your subject gets the attention it deserves.
Tip: Don’t feel the need to fill every corner with something. Let your main subject have space around it. Simplicity often makes a bigger impact than a busy frame.
Example: Picture a camel standing on its own in the middle of a wide desert. There’s nothing but soft sand and open sky stretching out around it. The camel becomes the clear focus, and the empty space actually adds to the feeling of isolation, calm, or even adventure. That vastness tells a story all by itself — and it lets the positive space do its job beautifully.
Editing for Stronger Positive Space
Let’s be honest — not every photo turns out perfectly straight from the camera. And that’s totally fine! Photography is just as much about what you do after you take the shot as it is about the moment itself. A bit of light editing can really help your positive space stand out more clearly, especially if things didn’t go quite to plan when you took the photo.
Here are a few easy ways you can tweak your image to draw more attention to your subject:
Crop the image – This is one of the simplest tricks. Cropping lets you remove any unnecessary or distracting elements around the edges of your photo. It also helps centre your subject or adjust the framing to feel more balanced.
Adjust brightness and contrast – Sometimes a little extra brightness or contrast can make your subject pop. If your photo looks a bit flat, boosting these settings just slightly can give your positive space more definition and energy.
Blur the background – If your camera didn’t quite get that nice soft background effect, you can sometimes fake it a little in editing. Gently blurring the background helps your subject stay sharp and in focus — perfect for highlighting your positive space.
You don’t need expensive software or a fancy laptop to do this, either. There are loads of free and easy-to-use editing apps out there. Two of the best for beginners and travellers on the move are Snapseed and Lightroom Mobile. Both are available for smartphones and are great for making small adjustments that can make a big difference.
Common Mistakes Beginners Make with Positive Space
As you're learning to use positive space more effectively, it's just as important to know what not to do. Even small things can throw off a good photo — but once you’re aware of them, they’re easy to fix. Here are a few common pitfalls that many beginners make (and even experienced photographers sometimes do too):
Too much clutter – If your photo has too many elements crammed into the frame, it becomes hard to tell what the viewer should be looking at. When everything is fighting for attention, your main subject — your positive space — gets lost in the noise. Try to keep things simple. Ask yourself, “Is this extra detail adding to the photo, or distracting from it?”
Off-centre subjects with no purpose – While placing your subject slightly off-centre can create a more dynamic image, it’s something that works best when done with intention. If you’re just starting out, it’s usually a good idea to place your positive space near the centre. Once you’re more confident, you can explore things like the rule of thirds or other creative framing — but start with strong basics first.
Ignoring the background – It might seem like the background doesn’t matter if it’s not the star of the show, but it actually plays a big role. A messy or distracting background can pull attention away from your subject. On the other hand, a simple or complementary background can help your positive space shine even more. Always take a quick look at what’s going on behind your subject before you hit the shutter.
Practise Makes Perfect
Like with any new skill, getting comfortable with using positive space takes a bit of time and some trial and error. The good news is, practising doesn’t have to be complicated or stressful — it can even be fun! The more you try, the more you’ll start to spot what works best for your style and the scenes you come across while travelling.
Here are a few easy ways to practise and build your confidence:
Pick one subject a day – While you’re out exploring, choose just one thing to focus on. It might be a colourful street vendor, a quirky building, or a local animal. Take several photos of that same subject from different angles, distances, or lighting conditions. This helps you see how changing your perspective affects the positive space and overall impact of the image.
Limit yourself to a few objects – Challenge yourself to keep the frame simple. Try to include just one or two main objects in your photo. This makes it easier to control the positive space and avoid clutter, helping you to focus on what really matters in the shot.
Review your photos later – When you have a moment, look back through your pictures and ask yourself: “Where is the positive space in this photo? Is it clear and obvious, or is it competing with other elements?” Being honest with yourself will help you spot patterns and improve your framing over time.
Remember, every photographer started somewhere — the key is to keep practising and have fun with it!
Final Thoughts: Let Your Subject Shine
Using positive space isn’t just about what’s physically in your photo — it’s about telling a story. It’s about deciding what you want people to see, notice, and feel when they look at your travel pictures. Every photo you take is a chance to share a moment, a mood, or a memory in a way that speaks clearly to whoever views it.
When you understand how to use positive space effectively, you’re giving your subject the attention it deserves — like giving it its own little stage to shine on. Whether that’s a solitary lighthouse standing tall against a dramatic Icelandic sky, a steaming bowl of noodles in a busy Vietnamese street, or a smile from a local you just met, your positive space helps that story come alive.
So, the next time you’re out with your camera or just snapping away on your phone, take a moment to think about your positive space. Ask yourself, “What’s the main story here? How can I frame this so it stands out?” Keep your composition simple, avoid distractions, and most importantly, enjoy the process. Photography is as much about having fun and being curious as it is about technique.
Happy shooting, and here’s to capturing many wonderful stories on your travels!
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