Composition
Research
Over-all Composition
An Over-all composition is when the whole surface of the canvas is worked on in a more or less uniform way, and there is not really a center, top, bottom, or a main point of focus. There are usually multiple points of focus or none. The term was originally used in response to Jackson Pollock's drip paintings, like the one shown above.
Asymmetric Composition
An asymmetric composition if the image cannot be mirrored. Usually an asymmetric composition is unbalanced but it does not have to be. They have a clear point of focus, which is usually on the side.
Symmetric composition
A symmetric composition is when the image is mirrored and looks almost or exactly the same on 2 sides. Symmetric composition are well balanced and have a main point of view which is usually in the middle.
Negative space composition
There are two types of negative space compositions. The first one is where there are actually two images depending on the one you focus on. These are often used in optical illusions (is the top picture a vase or two faces?).
The second one is where the negative space is used as a neutral or contrasting background which draws attention to the subject of the composition.