How can white space affect the perception of a two-dimensional image?

White space, also known as negative space, plays a crucial role in how a two-dimensional image is perceived. It can significantly enhance the viewer's experience by isolating elements. By providing ample white space around specific components of an image, the importance of those elements is heightened, allowing the viewer to focus on them without distraction. This isolation helps to convey a clearer message and organizes information effectively, making the overall design more impactful.

In contrast, while color and contrasts are important in design, they do not primarily involve the strategic use of empty space as white space does. Adding a third dimension is also not a function of white space in a two-dimensional context. Therefore, isolating elements through white space is a powerful technique that can greatly influence the visual hierarchy and the clarity of the communication in the image.