Week 35 - A Blank Canvas

Empty Space

Whenever we take a photo, we decide what does and does not belong in the frame. So how do we fill a blank canvas? Ironically, the more negative (empty) space in the scene, the more intentional we need to be about filling it. We must also consider the balance between aesthetically pleasing and providing a narrative or context for the image.

This assessment aims to make a photo 'about' something rather than 'of' something. For example, the circular structure in this image has been on my radar for some time. However, I was waiting for a sky with some clouds to add interest. If it were a tightly cropped image, it would be just that - a depiction of the building.

Expanding it to include objects that I would typically dismiss, such as electrical poles and wires, tells a broader story while contributing to the image's balance and depth. Our eye draws an imaginary line between the distant electrical stanchion on the left side to the more dominant one on the right side.

Finally, the tractor tracks receding in the distance convey that this is about working the land and agriculture. Yet, I also wonder what purpose the building serves. The relatively small door suggests that farming equipment is not stored here. But, ultimately, we sense that this scene was in place long before electricity found it. Being rendered in black and white adds to the timeless feel of the setting.

f8 1/60 sec ISO 100 September 2, 2022