My First Attempt at 'Real' Photography

Hi folks! I hope you're all doing really well. Before I ask for your critiques, I figure a little background information on my photographic experience might be useful, so here goes..!

I'm a teacher and this year, for the first time, I've been given a photography class to teach. Which is great. Except, I don't really know anything about photography. Well, at least, up until a few weeks ago, I didn't know anything about photography.

Now, by nothing, I mean that I'm aware that cameras exist, and I've been carrying one around in my pocket for quite a while now. I do own a DSLR, but only a very entry-level one, a Canon 1100D, that has spent a lot of it's time, in my possession, keeping a bench in my closet warm. On the rare occasion this camera made its way into my hands, the only mode I ever used was auto, figuring that the manual settings were reserved primarily for professionals who had been studying photography for years. Happily, in the past few weeks, I have discovered the error in my thinking.

Up until now, when I've needed a moment in time captured for as long as I don't delete it, I've reached for my phone, pointed it at the subject and pressed the shutter control button to capture the image. Which is fine, but as a teacher, I need to make sure that my students are reaching a higher level of understanding, so over the past few weeks, I have delved into the theory (and some limited practice) of using the manual controls on a camera.

My primary focus has been on understanding exposure and using ISO, aperture and shutter speed to control the amount of light that hits the sensor. I've also been researching composition and some basic editing principles. The course I'm teaching is entry level, so I don't think I'll be making it too complex. Exposure, composition and basic editing are likely as difficult as I'll make the theoretical aspects, and then just a lot of practice at perfecting these concepts.

I'm happy to be able to say that I've thoroughly loved learning how to use the manual settings of a camera, and regardless of whether I ever get to teach it again, I think I've found a hobby that I'll be continuing on with well into the future. Long exposure and macro photography are particularly enticing styles, and I can see why so many people around the world are interested in pursuing pohotgraphy.

Anyway, that's probably enough preamble! What I'm hoping you can do for me is to now have a look at the two images below and critique them to death. It's the same image from my first attempt at melding exposure and composition. The top image is the unedited version and the second includes my attempt at editing where I've tried my hand at changing the white balance and a few other settings as well as adding in a very small vignette.

Any feedback you can give will be much appreciated, particularly around my use of the following:

1. The settings used;
2. The nature of the exposure;
3. The composition of the shot, and/or
4. The editing.

I know that this is very subjective, and that opinions may vary, but I'm happy for any professional discussion that might help me to become better at photography so that I can more effectively teach the students who take the course this year.

The camera used was the aforementioned Canon 1100D with the kit lens (18-55mm no IS) with the following settings: ISO 800, f/5.6, 1/4000.

Unedited Image

Edited Image

Thanks, in advance, to anyone who can offer any insight into any improvements that can be considered .