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| Photo by: Faisal AlKhudairy |
The words "Active Space" and "Dead Space" are most commonly used by Sports, Action and Wildlife photographers. When photographing subjects which are in motion; the space in front of the subject where the action is going to resolve next is called Active Space and the space behind the subject where the action is done with is called dead space.
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| Photo by: Alain Limoges |
The most commonly used technique in action photography is to compose the frame in such a way that there is more room in front of the subject than behind it. By de-emphasizing the dead space the photographer is able to create a dynamic and engaging picture. Here the importance is given to the active space as with this type of composition the viewer’s eyes would naturally travel from the subject to the space in front of it. Anticipation is the emotion evoked in the viewers mind with these types of photographs.
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| Photo by: Alain Limoges |
As with any concepts of photography; this composition technique could also be used reversed. By composing your picture with more space behind the subject than in front, one could create a totally different feel in the viewer’s mind. When there is very little space in front of the subject the subject appears to be in a hurry to move out of the frame. This could create a sense of speed and urgency making the photo more dynamic. This type of composition places more importance on where the subject has been, rather than where the subject is going.