An effective technique for enhancing a composition, providing context, or adding depth or dimensionality to an image is to include a natural frame for the scene. One of the most common implementations of this technique is to shoot the scene through an archway or window. I've noticed that Cindy Miller Hopkins takes advantage of this technique whenever the opportunity presents itself on her travels. Here are two examples from the many wonderful images that she has posted in the Gallery:
(http://spiritofphotography.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10009/RUS_082208_172126.jpg)
St. Basil crowd
Photographed by Cindy Miller Hopkins
(http://spiritofphotography.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10009/OMA_090430_163836.jpg)
Oman Traffic
Photographed by Cindy Miller Hopkins
Joyce Donaldson also utilizes this technique in many of her images, including this beautiful image of Antelope Canyon where she took advantage of a natural frame to enhance the perception of depth in the image.
(http://spiritofphotography.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10056/Antelope_Canyon_Purple_Frame__copy.jpg)
Antelope Canyon
Photographed by Joyce Donaldson (csrdrunner)
And one more example of an image that uses a natural frame:
(http://spiritofphotography.com/coppermine/albums/FTP/2007-08-20_113744.jpg)
Taylor Head Provincial Park, Nova Scotia Canada
Photographed by Keith
If you browse through the Gallery, you can see many other examples where the photographer used an element of the scene to "frame" the image.
The assignment for the week of 28 September - 3 October 2009 is "Framed." Please upload your images to the "Framed" album in the Weekly Assignments category of the Gallery no-latter-than midnight Mountain Time (GMT - 07:00) on Sunday, 4 October 2009.
I'll look forward to seeing your images.
Keith