Lick it good

[dreampolice]

I have posted this before in another thread, however I am thinking about printing it on to a biggish acrylic (I have had a few things done on acrylic and bright colours look great) but can't decide between the uncropped image, which gives a little context, or the cropped version. What you think?

"Don't waste your money", is also an acceptable response, lol.

Lick it good by Nigel G, on Flickr

Only a rough edit, would do a bit more editing inside the image, such as removing my reflection.

Lick it good edit by Nigel G, on Flickr

[andy]

Uncropped for me.

[kate]

I think the uncropped version has more balance and context. I must admit I can't see your reflection in it, but I take your word that it's there. I'd say nothing to worry about. The cropped version just seems more uninteresting to me, but I like images I can find new things every time I look at them.

[dreampolice]

My reflection is on the ice cream.

I am more on the uncropped version myself, that is how I initially did it, but when I was looking at the printing website I was able to zoom the image within the frame and made me think.

[peterob]

I'd try a less severe crop. Of the two I prefer the uncropped but the wall is ugly. Try limiting it to (and including) the window frame.

[petrochemist]

Oct 13, 2023 9:06:05 GMT peterob said:

I'd try a less severe crop. Of the two I prefer the uncropped but the wall is ugly. Try limiting it to (and including) the window frame.

I think that might be the best option. I prefer the cropped version but that's probably just because of the wall. The frame should add to the cropped version.
As to your reflection even knowing it's in the ice cream it's moderately hard to spot, so I doubt average viewers will see it at all, but it will likely bug you anyway.

[zou]

I also say uncropped, and I think the suggestion above on a slightly different crop is definitely worth a look.

[zx9]

As a metallic print hung in your snug / bar as a focal point to the room it would have be the cropped one for me. As another photograph displayed alongside many others on a wall, I think the un cropped one though I would try taking down the light internal window sill. As for your reflection, you should be able to blur it a bit by selection of colour and softly painting in the area between your hand and your head it would still be there but less defined.

[El Sid]

Uncropped or perhaps less severely cropped (as suggested above) for me. In the uncropped version the frame and walls add context and explain the stacked stools in the background. In the cropped version feel more prominent and oddly less connected to the subject. I suspect anyone seeing the cropped version alone without the benefit of seeing the original might find the background and stools a little distracting.

For the cropped version I'd be tempted to darken down the background quite severely to really focus on the sign. I might even be tempted to crop tighter still & make it square...

[dreampolice]

Thanks for your input folks.

I think, as I mentioned initially and as some of you have also said, it needs to have some of the window surround to give context, like Nigel said above, there is a disconnect with the stools otherwise. I have reduced the exposure on the inner sill, a bit of the inside of the café as well as the outside wall, so most of the inside and outside of the café are more of a similar tone.. I have made the neon a bit brighter and removed my reflection but left a reflection is as there are reflections anyway as well as things seen from behind the sign. Obviously there is a slight crop. I considered cropping to the edge of the bottom window cill, but as I wanted to keep the same dimensions of the image cropping further would have removed the little bit of graffiti on the RHS which I wanted to retain. Levelled up the top black part of the frame too.

Pete, you don't like the wall as it is ugly, I think its ugliness/grimeness is the reason I want it there.

So , how's this?

Lick it good re-edit by Nigel G, on Flickr

[zou]

I like it but would balance the width of the side walls. That's my preference anyway, you do you!

[dreampolice]

Haha fair enough! I did actually notice that when I posted it and was writing my spiel!

[zx9]

Oct 13, 2023 13:45:30 GMT dreampolice said:

Haha fair enough! I did actually notice that when I posted it and was writing my spiel!

I like the new edit and the changes you have made.

I often come back to pictures on Flickr after a couple of days and notice things like un even edges or a slight run out across the top of the frame. I know that this is something you have had for a while, it is good to re visit and spot these things before printing.

[peterob]

Oct 13, 2023 12:57:33 GMT dreampolice said:

Thanks for your input folks.

I think, as I mentioned initially and as some of you have also said, it needs to have some of the window surround to give context, like Nigel said above, there is a disconnect with the stools otherwise. I have reduced the exposure on the inner sill, a bit of the inside of the café as well as the outside wall, so most of the inside and outside of the café are more of a similar tone.. I have made the neon a bit brighter and removed my reflection but left a reflection is as there are reflections anyway as well as things seen from behind the sign. Obviously there is a slight crop. I considered cropping to the edge of the bottom window cill, but as I wanted to keep the same dimensions of the image cropping further would have removed the little bit of graffiti on the RHS which I wanted to retain. Levelled up the top black part of the frame too.

Pete, you don't like the wall as it is ugly, I think its ugliness/grimeness is the reason I want it there.

So , how's this?

Lick it good re-edit by Nigel G, on Flickr

Much better.

[peterob]

Oct 13, 2023 12:57:33 GMT dreampolice said:

Pete, you don't like the wall as it is ugly, I think its ugliness/grimeness is the reason I want it there.

I used the wrong word in ugly.  I think my main thought was that, if the window was to be shown set in the wall then there should be an equal (and perhaps greater amount of wall) shown surrounding it, rather than it being clipped at the top.  Also you were not quite square on so the RHS is a bit squiff.

Because I had to come upstairs to write this on the computer (editing replies on the ipad is really difficult) I had a play in ACR just for the fun of it.  Somehow I ended up with a strong reflection off the paint on the bottom of the window frame. Edit - I still didn't get it quite square but I'm not going for three  attempts at it!