This is my submission for Brenda’s A Photo Study: Negative Space.
Many years ago, one friend showed me several of his friend’s paintings. He flipped through each one, and kept telling me how wonderful they were. At first, I wanted to be polite. I told him they were pretty good. Seeing the fourth painting, I couldn’t stand it any longer. “They are good, but I don’t think I like them,” I said, still trying to be polite.
Later I told another friend what had happened. I used the word “suffocating” to describe how I felt on that day, and told her I didn’t really know why I felt that way. My friend said, “Do you know that Chinese paintings usually have a lot of white space, and many western paintings don’t?” (Ah ha!)
Gradually, I learned to appreciate paintings without any white space and learned to appreciate white space (negative space) even more.
The first photo was taken with 300 mm focal length. The goose was far away, but seeing through the viewfinder, I felt she was looking straight at the camera.
In the middle of taking neighbor’s boy’s photo, I saw the moon and the treetop. I quickly took several shots. Standing quietly next to me, the boy looked up to the moon. He kept staring… at that moment, I felt we were connected.
I was having fun playing with light for the next 3 photos. I didn’t really get the effect I wanted. I will keep trying for sure.
Thanks Brenda for another good lesson. I truly appreciate it.
Thank you for visiting my blog.
HHC Blog 
Beautiful goose capture, Helen. I also like the last image, wonderful lighting. 🙂
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Thanks, Amy. I really felt that that goose wanted to talk to me. Ha. It was weird, but nice.
The last photo, I was trying to get a narrowed light beam effect, but no matter what I did, I couldn’t get it, even though I was using a small light source. ;-( Oh well, I will have more fun on this for sure.
Have a great evening.
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Beautiful captures Helen!!!
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Thanks, Paulo. It’s always easier if someone else comes up with a theme. Ha.
Have a great evening/
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These are great photos for negative space. I love the drama in your last photo 😀
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Thanks, Cee. My brother-in-law brought the statue back from Taiwan. I liked it so much, so he gave it to me. I felt bad, because he and my sister love it, too.
Have a great evening.
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Nicely interpreted and congratulations for allowing yourself to see in a new way.
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Thanks, Sally. Most of times, your comments are short, but every word weights a lot. I mean, your comment always gives me something, like a joy, an advice, something to think about…THANKS!
Have a great evening.
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Helen, you’ve touched my
heartstrings. Thanks.
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Helen, thank you again for joining me on this learning journey. In regards to Chinese art, I love how space and light are used in landscape images and in movies…there also seems to be use of color that I don’t see in Western paintings. The first image evokes feelings of loneliness and it seems he is waiting to connect with someone…you, the photographer? The moon…beautiful story as if the art of creating an image was creating memories. The last image seems to give space for the statue to express it’s feelings…nice use of light. I do hope you continue playing and experimenting.
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Thanks, Brenda. You are right. We have different colors. Chinese colors come from two sources: plant and mineral. They works better (because of the binding material they use) on rice paper. I like to learn more about it 😉
That goose was very interesting. Because of the long distance, I shot several times to make sure I would have a sharp image, and each time I took a lot of time. And the goose just stayed there. I felt as if the goose wanted to say something to me. 😉
Good night.
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Helen–you do your lessons so very well. The goose photo is beautiful. I imagine him waddling over to visit with the lady taking his picture. A great use of negative space.
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Thank you, Lois. I was hoping the goose would come. Just stare at each other from far away. Ha ha.
Good night.
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Great story ~ and love the goose shot. A perfect example of the power of negative space.
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Omg…how are you, Randall? Thank you for your kind comment. What a nice surprise!
I have to admit that it always takes me a long time to finish reading your articles. It’s like reading an ancient Chinese poem. There are a lot to feel, to think, to absorb in every sentence. Your newest post made me feel sad (a little), because you sounded aged 😉 I like what you wrote (wisdom words) because I am at the age that I could understand them and appreciate them, but you are young.
So happy to hear from you. Please take care.
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Hi Helen, ha ~ yes, my writing has been know to ~ e x t e n d and never end 🙂 The last post was my first real thinking that I am not in my 20s any more, and I’ve finally come to accept this reality (although occasionally wake up still thinking I can dunk a basketball, but now I realize more quickly it is not longer true). Still young, though, and so much more to do. Cheers to a great springtime!
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I think I got it as well…
(super thank you!!)
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I am glad 😉 We have 6 inches (I think) snow today ;-(
I read your letter to your friend. It’s nice to have a friend like that, isn’t it?
Have a wonderful evening.
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still snowing in April?! Spring is definitely coming late this year.
Yes. it is wonderful to have a “soul-friend.” I met him once a year in Kaohsiung. So many thanks to High-Speed Railroad, so that I can make 1-day trip to the south.
How are you? I hope we can meet this year!
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Weatherman said snow today, but we are still waiting for it to come. Pretty gray though.
I thought that that was the friend you told me when we met in Taipei. Now I know I was right 😉 It’s nice to have a soul-friend indeed.
I am doing well. Spend more time learning Lamrim. Always learning 😉
If it keeps snowing, I will come to the south! Ha ha. I think it will warm up soon. I am sure we will meet again. I know we will 😉
Take care.
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