It would look fine if you did the following things (If you get chance):
Stand square to the gable (if you can!) Adjust the levels in your image editing software so that the blacks are nearer to being black, and the same for the white.
Adjust the contrast slightly.
And leave the sky and (if you can) the sign as they are :-)
Mervo Thanks so much for taking the time to critique my image. I will take your suggestions to heart and try to capture this gable on a blue sky summer day. This shot was taken in winter, so the sky was grey and uninviting. Under the gable, the tenant has posted a sign that truly distracted from the image. Hence the "blackout" top and bottom. I also agree with the comment on the lines. This is more difficult to overcome as I am shooting from the street looking up and find it difficult to overcome the angle and achieve the result you are suggesting. Blessings to you and yours.
I'm not sure, however, that you have improved the image by editing the parts you have now left near-black (The sky and under the arch). If you could go back to this lovely archway and shoot it again, try getting more square on to the building because the lines going across the page that are not horizontal but really would look better if they were, are a little distracting, along with maybe a contrast and levels tweak.
I hope you don't take offence at my crit, I made the effort to comment about these points because I feel you could have a potentially good shot of some really impressive brickwork.
I feel bad for saying all of that but hey, that's what this place is for!
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{K:37420} 6/29/2006
