Urban mural, ye or nay?

[ATB510]

Hi guys,
hoping you can help me with this one. I took this photo of a mural/graffiti on an old shop near where I live recently. I see this quite often and I know that there's a great photo in there somewhere, I just don't think I got it this time. I was going for a shot with a lot of texture and tone. That particular street is a little shabby, and I wanted to capture that. Do you think I have? And, if you feel the way I do, and don't think that, how could I improve it?


Camera: Nikon D40
Exposure: 0.025 sec (1/40)
Aperture: f/8.0
Focal Length: 46 mm
ISO Speed: 200
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: No Flash

Post: Levels, contrast, clarity etc.

Thanks a mil!
AB

[dcclark]

Well, the shot definitely has a lot of texture -- a LOT. In fact, I'd say that there's so much texture, color, lines, etc. going on, that my eye has no clue where to rest! The face comes close to being a focal point, but there's just too much going on.

I might suggest coming in a little closer, to help emphasize the subject (the face?). In addition, I don't actually feel like this scene is all that shabby -- the paint is bright and clean, the bricks are nice, and only the roof looks a bit shabby. You may want to emphasize that instead, or compare it to everything around it (if there is more shabbiness visible elsewhere).

[sk66]

I think pulling back to make the entire building a focal point of color amongst the shabbiness might have been better. It also would have been nice to have a person in the chair at the corner (if that's what it is).

[EMansfield]

The colors here really did pop out very much. Too much contrast, colors, and texture made the photo look cluttered and busy. Focusing on the mural itself, thus eliminating the red bricks, might help.

Cheers!

Eric Mansfield

[PhotoDon]

I like the image. The composition is great: all the rectangles broken up by a large triangle and the contrast of the misfit text of the cafe sign. The hot pink seems oversaturated to me. Was it really that intense? But to accomplish what you are after I think sk66's suggestion of pulling back a bit is a good one; there is only a teasing hint of trashy clutter.

[doctorjames]

I agree with previous posts in that I think the contrast is a bit overdone, and probably the saturation too.

Were the bricks at the bottom right white on the original?

Id probably tone things down a bit, and burn out the background a little at the right and top right, bringing the eyes away from the brickwork which is competing a little too much.

If you have the chance to go back and want to shoot it again, id stand a little to the left, and shoot lower, then you wont get the white window frame in view which again distracts the eyes. You could clone stamp it out if you dont want to shoot it again.

god im picky today

Nice shot

James

[stang0011]

I think it's a really cool shot as is. If I had a wish it would be to see the rest of the white window- middle right.

[junglebear]

It looks oversaturated to me, and the white bricks look kind of pink, did you alter the magenta? I think this could work better if you selectively alter the contrast and saturation just on the mural, and leave everything else behind more natural looking.
Framing and composition wise I like it, I just think the colours need work