the wall washer

i can't decide if i like this crop or not... i find the solidity of the wall distracting... but when i crop it out, the shot feels claustrophobic to me, and loses context... this guy is washing the walls with, i assume, high pressure hot water, in sub-zero weather - resulting in all that steam... i did a dark moody kinda edit, but then it really loses meaning...

tx all for your kind comments on yesterday's shot...

[Spanner]

This looks great. I like the framing and processing as it is.

[Kerri]

Great b&w

[Ann H. LeFevre]

I think the angle of the wall forces you to looks at the figure so I like the framing.

[Cathrine Mitchell]

I'm loving it as well, love the spray and the greenish tones. Hope you didn't get wet with the spray.

[Taffy]

I like it. But what if you were to crop in from the left so you keep the lighter part of the wall, but drop out the darker flatter section at the far left? Then, you could crop up from the bottom about 1/2 of the water and down from the top to just below the door frame. Or is that what you did that ended up feeling claustrophobic? I think it works overall -- just that some of the left wall could be cropped out.

[❀ Lynn]

Man...hope it didn't all freeze into an ice rink!!

[Sally Ings]

I agree with Taffy about cropping the left side to the corner of the pillar. I like the effect of the steam.

[Morné Grewe]

cool shot!

[Alexander]

Interesting character study. I'd crop it square, using the bottom right as the fixed point.

[Jani M]

Nice one, the steam adds a lot of mystery as well as his hooded outfit ... I don't find the crop too bad but I agree with Taffy on cropping the left side a bit - keep the corner in frame though. I wouldn't touch anywhere else to keep all the steam and the puddle in frame + give him room to breathe. The picture aspect ratio will be a bit funky after the crop, but it would work I think.

[Lisa Pouncy]

I think the wall absolutely has to be there to give the shot context and I don't think it's too solid either. The lines break it up and lead the eye to the focus of the shot. Great reflection and I love the brightness and greeny/grey tone xx

[Lois Webb]

Wall and shadow are great framing. Keep em

[Penny Price]

Think you are right about the crop, any more wouldn't be good. Love how you've processed it, and well spotted.

[Jocasta]

I think Jani has the crop right - fabulous photo - I love the grittiness of street photography.

[Abhijit]

Very cool

[John]

Great processing

[Nancy]

I too agree with Taffy...however it is a really cool find just as it is and you did a great job!

[virtualbrownie]

I like the composition and processing as it is.

[Katia]

I like it! Nothing distracting for me! :)

[Nicole]

what an awesome shot!! love the wall in the shot and the effect of the steam with the guy is just very powerful and dark! reminds me of a shot from a movie!

[KWind]

I like it just like this! Very nice!

[Humphrey Hippo]

I think the wall gives it context. I wouldn't want to crop it much more.

[Karen H]

I wouldn't take the top or bottom,but I agree the about cropping the left to the corner of the building.

[Marloes]

The solid walls add impressiveness to the cleaning action. Nice processing in this color!

[Katie]

When I cover up the near wall, it makes it look much more like a doorway than an interior scene. Totally brighter feel too, hmm.

[Lisa Stein]

I think you need the walls. They frame him nicely. Great shot and processing!