Composing with negative shapes 2: Roger and David
Maria gave us a number of 7–10 minute poses. The idea was to define the figure by its surround, to see and depict the ‘negative’ spaces around and withing a pose.
Allowing the background to reveal the object as a shape on untouched white paper is the ultimate object here.
Given a bit more time, Roger might have completed this picture, so I asked Photoshop to do it:
I think it is now very attractive composition, enhanced by the cropped simplicity.
The same potential is there in this drawing:
…which Photoshop suggests could be something like this:
David (below) had a more straight-on view of this yoga pose. Something so symmetrical sometimes deadens composition, but in this case it actually enhances the subject, which is stillness and meditation.
There’s potential too in this composition sketch:
And a couple more of David’s that promise well, but need to be contained in a border in order to fulfill compositional potential:
