Even in a seemingly simple still life setup, such as a single flower, you need to spend some time observing the negative space around and between the objects. Strong or effective negative space adds to an interesting background while also pushing the viewer's eye towards the subject.
Odd or awkward shapes in the negative space distracts the viewer's eye. Watch out for things that overlap only slightly or are kissing (photos 1 & 2), or that touch one another creating a combined shape that's confusing (photos 3 & 4). Often all it needs is a slight twist around and the problem is solved.
