If you want to aim at the running object successfully, you need to provide a motion space ahead of the object to move forward; an active space in photography composition techniques. The space behind the object is actually a passive space and if you provide the passive space too large; the dynamic element of the photograph will disappear. Therefore the large space must be provided ahead of the running object.

Have a look at the photo below, the photographer captured the moment by providing a larger space in front of the rider as the active space. While space behind him is small as the passive space.

Large space in front of the moving object

The idea of the active space in composition techniques can be applied to the stay objects. The direction of the active space is ahead of the objects. For example when the subject is an animal which is turning her head facing upward; you can provide a large space upward. If the animal is turning her head to the right, you can provide active space on the right side.

Stay Object

When the target is an animal; pay attention to the direction of her head or her eyes motion. Wait until you get a good moment from her head or her eyes motion. For example; the bear on the photo below; I didn’t provide a large space on the right side; she was wincing as if there were something danger behind her. Your eyes naturally tend to watch in the same direction as the bear from right side to the left side.

Now compare to the same subject – the bear; but with different moment. Her head is now facing down to the ground; no active space; maybe the bear is eating or something – easy to guess. The photograph does not tell the story; it’s a passive photo.

The gaze direction or the running direction of an object can provide a different impression. The eyes direction when you are reading is naturally from the left side to the right side. This habit will also work the same way as we enjoy the photographs. The photograph that has the subject running from the left to the right would be normal. But if you want to provide an interesting gazing experience, you can try capturing the motion that moves forward from the right side to left side. When you stir your coffee; in what direction do you stir it more often; clock wise or counter clock wise direction? Your comfort zone is probably clock wise direction, but I prefer counter clock wise direction.

In photography, mostly the photographers apply the moving object from the right to the left. Bill Hatcher for example successfully captured this great moment from beautiful shooting angel; but still uses the right to left rule.

See also:

• The rules of thirds in composition technique
• Creating the depth of Photo perspective
• Landscapes photography guidelines