Composition task- Before and After

The class was each given a piece of paper with an opposite theme on it. We weren't allowed to tell anyone else what theme we had so that we had to guess our classmates theme. My theme was SPIKY/SOFT and I had to get the theme across only by taking four photos in 20 minutes. We weren't taught anything about taking the photo and how to frame it so it was completely from scratch. Here are my BEFORE photos:

1.                                                                         2.

3.                                                                          4.

Then we went back to class and shared what our theme was and reviewed the images. After everyone's images were reviewed we were taught different techniques and how to make the photo more interesting. Here are the different techniques that I learnt:

• Symmetry- the image is divided into two equal parts which are mirror images of each other.
• Depth of field- makes the image look longer/ more in depth.
• Framing- the main part of the image is framed. Automatically focus on one part of the image.
• Perspective- The way real three-dimensional objects are pictured in a photograph that has two-dimensional plane. 
• Negative space- the area that surrounds the main object in the image. Defines and emphasizes the main object in the photo and draws the viewers eye to it. Doesn't make your image look cluttered.
• Colour- makes the photo more interesting and colourful and more attractive. Can also portray emotion.

We then went back out for 20 minutes and took another four images with the same theme as before and using the knowledge of what we have learnt. These are my AFTER images:

1.                                                                          2.

3.                                                                            4.

I think that image BEFORE 1 was good because there is negative space and the main object is to the side rather than in the middle of the photograph. Also image BEFORE 3 was good because there is depth of field. I think that some of my techniques improved. For example the AFTER 1 and 4 images have clearer negative space because there is a plane background whereas in BEFORE 1 there are buildings in the negative space which in my opinion distract you from the negative space. In AFTER 2 I have tried to use the symmetry technique with the fence however the background isn't symmetrical which doesn't allow the image to look fully symmetrical. In AFTER 3 i tried the framing technique. I think that the daisies are the main focus in the image because the hands frame the picture however i think something more solid or straight would frame the daisies better, for example pencils. Overall I have a better understanding of the different techniques that you can use when taking a photo and I know how to create a better looking image.