Corporate Ladder

[Barefoot]

http://i781.photobucket.com/albums/yy94/CircleOfConfussion/CorporateLadder.jpg

[QuietOne]

With the doorways not only shut but bricked up. This must be for those who aren't part of the inner circle. Seriously, though, I can't quite decide what I think about it. The bottom part is a little distracting - seems if I scroll so only the top couple layers show it helps.

[Hillbillygirl]

Awesome title, and capture BF. Seems after years climbing the corporate ladder, that it was not "all that" at the top after-all.

[Marko]

Very strong image BF - I like it a lot.
I have a suggestion on this - let me know if you'd like me to make it.

[Barefoot]

I have a suggestion on this - let me know if you'd like me to make it.

I 'preciate it, guys. Quite honestly, Marko, I'd be very disappointed if you didn't.

[Matt K.]

Brilliant title for an excellent shot. If the shadow had the same angle as the ladder that would have been even better ... but we all know that time is a fickle thing. Very strong image and the title is just brilliant .. but I said this before

[Marko]

Ok then - Like Quiet one - I find the bottom part is commanding too much attention due to the brightness. Because of this, this would have been perfect for HDR.

But as it is, for me, 2 options would make this stronger.
1 - Try to burn in the white meat or cheat the white meat if it's too blown. You can cheat the white meat by using the blending setting overlay on a colour that's close to other (lighter)colours around the blown zone. In this case, perhaps gold or beige.
2 - Crop the blown zone out. The shot still works for me without the bottom thanks to the very strong diagonal ladder.
Hope that may help.

[Barefoot]

This is a good opportunity for me, in fact. Just to let you guys know, I'm not that confident about my photography. I know I'm a little twisted and, as a result, never quite sure how much something that I like is going to appeal to others and this is especially true in regards to music and photography.

So, with that said, I hope I never come off here in the forums giving the impression that...well, for lack of better terminology, “my sheat don't stink”. I welcome any and all criticism, suggestions, and ideas. This is particularly true when coming from someone capable of producing something as wonderful to look at as this (http://www.photography.ca/Forums/f22/montr-al-place-des-festivals-en-rouge-18664.html).

The suggestions were good ones and helped this photograph, I believe. Fortunately, I did bracket a few frames, so Marko's idea of trying HDR was my best option.

http://i781.photobucket.com/albums/yy94/CircleOfConfussion/_DSC5587_HDR2.jpg

I cropped the bottom out as per Q1 and it helped. I just hated to lose that little bit of nice texture. I'm not sure if it should stay or go, but it was much to bright in the first shot posted.

http://i781.photobucket.com/albums/yy94/CircleOfConfussion/_DSC5587_HDR3.jpg

Now, which one do I print?

[JAS_Photo]

I like this and I do prefer the one with the detailed bottom edge. I liked the brightness of the brick in the first photo as well. Now if you could convince someone to get on the ladder wearing a bright blue pair of overalls with a can of paint and overalls that would be over the top cool.

[QuietOne]

Pulling the texture and color back on the bottom helps a lot, and I agree the texture is worth trying to keep. I'd like to suggest a crop between the 2nd and 3rd one, since to my eye part of the problem is there's a little too much on the bottom. On the left hand side just below the concrete is that line of 4 or so bricks (long sides facing the viewer, red one on the right end of the line). Try cropping right at the bottom edge of that, maybe a little above. It gives you that center bit of texture with a rough line running through it and a 90 degree rounded section on the right and frames the bottom of the photo. I kinda scrolled to about that point to see how it would look, and it kept an interesting bit of texture without pulling so much attention away from the rest of the photo.

[Runmonty]

I like the HDR option as well.

[Iguanasan]

Very cool shot, Barefoot and nicely found. I'm a big fan of the last one posted. While I understand your desire to keep the texture of the broken brickwork I think I prefer the cleaner lines of the one without. Of course, that's just my :twocents:

[Marko]

Thanks for the compliment barefoot. The quality of your work and MANY member's work have increased since you've joined the forum. This thrills me to no end. Yes I admin the site, but ph.ca has developed into a community with very valuable members. We learn from each other and our work improves - I love that.

In terms of this photograph, and the story you are trying to tell - the crop wins imo....but only by a hair and only as a matter of opinion.

The cropped version now has an ADDITIONAL element going for it imo. It's a happy coincidence, but the square (ish) cropping now helps support the theme of 'being boxed in' - which to my mind works well with the title and intended theme or story.