I like the left side of the picture, the lighting makes me think of paintings by Dutch masters. But the right side I'd want to see the sign not cropped off, and the girl either in the picture or wait til she moves on by, her head and shoe are cropped at rather awkward places. Actually maybe having taken a step or two back might have gotten the entire shadow to the left of him as well as the lettering on the sign.
The title of the thread I think could have been phrased better considering we're likely looking at someone who might live on the streets or in a shelter; it just doesn't seem like the sort of thing that's all that funny to joke about on a forum.
Thank you for your comment.
I knew someone would point at an 'awkwardly' cropped girl. I am convinced that it is exactly how she should be cropped in this shot - both the head and the shoe. I could explain it at length why I cropped the shoe and the head, but it would require too much time and space
these are some fundamental compositional principles. Note that she is not only cropped, she is blurred as well, and that is what I also wanted. I have the shot with the girl gone and it is not nearly as interesting. It gets all static.
Same with the Guardian sign. I do not not want it seen in full. One reason is purely compositional - I want the right geometrical balance as well as the right balance between the dark and light spaces. The full lettering is of secondary importance here. It will not give you anything you need to know that you do not know already about the story.
Taking step or two back also breaks the balance between the size of the main subject and the space in the frame. The correct positioning of the man also becomes a bit problematic. It also would reveal some details of the building that would be unnecessary.
As for the title, I do not think it is inappropriate or derogatory. On the contrary, I see something timeless and saintly if I may say so in this man The light and colours of his dress here hint at old masters paintings. I do not pretend it is as good, but there is something. So it is not a joke, it is an appreciation of the man.
![[No title]](/data/xfmg/thumbnail/41/41892-d6f91fd1c816420825658ffaad56df78.jpg?1734176245)
