i feel like some feedback...

[Disaster_Area]

I like your second cropped version much better... simply because it cuts out the "ATM Inside" sign... I have this problem in Ottawa all the time. There's these gorgeous old buildings, pubs and shops everywhere but it's almost impossible to get a shot without some gaudy ATM, parking or other awful looking sign that just ruins the atmosphere.

Everything in you shot looks old and classy with beautiful detail and then there's that plain solid color detailess ATM sign, cutting it out does wonders for the pic.

 

[pakeha]

Yep, thats the one i like, i`m short of cash at the moment though.

BillBingham2
Great exposure and range of tones, absolutely great. -Ditto

 

[fotomeow]

I agree that the cropped out ATM image works better for helping to focus my attention in the image. If I asked myself, which image would I want to hang on my wall and look at daily, I would have to consider the lighter image with less contrast or the darker image with more contrast (??)

On the technical side, I like the lighter exposure with the brick inthe back having some good detail, and its just plain pleasing to the eye. Thats one thing I love about the Elmars. It has a sensual feel. However, the lighter exposure doesnt really do it for me in terms of some kind of an emotional reaction or emotional attachment to the image.
I like the darker background for an emotional appeal, and the overall gestalt. I dont always like more contrast in images, bu thats the one I would feel more inspired by and want to look at more frequently.

 

[Richard G]

I like the pipe. It's a like a dutiful dog, looking out at us, waiting for the guy to finish his paper. And maybe a slightly mischievous dog, who might just go ahead and gush out that water that caused such concern further up the page.

 

[oftheherd]

Sorry, Joe. I like it the way you first posted it. There is good tonality, and the lighting is well balanced to my eye. It looks like a good "street" photo. For that reason, I am amazed at all the differing criticisms. Of course,everyone has their own appreciation of what they see. The crops given aren't bad, just not needed imho.

I wonder what would have happened if you had said you wanted feedback on your street photo?

 

[russelljtdyer]

I like Keith's cropping the image to a square, with his contrast and all. I agree with Richard G's comments about liking the pipe and viewing it as a dog at his master's side. I noticed the pipe right away and thought it has a cartoon feel. I naturally anthropomorphized it into a watchful personality or pet. It adds optional, subtle humor to a serene photo. Not that the photo wouldn't look fine if the pipe hadn't been there, but life and photos seem to be about things and people happening to be there.

 

[shadowfox]

so, what do you think?

Technically (exposure, contrast, tonality): Good.
Composition: *Everything* is sharp and in focus.
Message/Content: Too many things vying for my eyes' attention especially writings. I didn't notice the cigarette smoke until you mention it.

Thanks for sharing, Joe.

 

[jan normandale]

I like the idea of the shot, it's a good one.

I might have tried portrait/vertical format to avoid cutting off the feet , move in slightly closer to fill the frame a bit more and thereby avoided those two "vertial bookends" on the left and right of the frame. The reflection is distracting and the vertical element to the right of the chalkboard is also distracting.

Zoom with your feet ;D

 

[robklurfield]

Joe, I like the shot as you originally posted it. I don't find the pillar/pipe distracting. I think they add to the complexity of reading the image. Sometimes the world is complex, so why should images be that way sometimes, too.

I hate cropping my own images, as it usually makes me feel I screwed up in my original execution, but I do it sometimes when the result would save an otherwise compelling image. Just a matter of personal habit for me.

In any case, if I were going to crop anything here, it would be the window to the left of the door frame with the prices for pies, etc. I like the image as is. Oh, forgot to mention that my favorite part is the smoke curling up from his newspaper. Great tonality to capture that just right.