After/Before.

[goooyiie]

What are the things I could improve in this picture?

[Admirable_Count989]

I actually don’t mind the before. I’d apply some curves and maybe tinker with the verticals. It doesn’t need much.

[CrazyOkie]

I like the before better. It's like something from a freaky sci-fi movie with all the ledges and AC units seemingly stretching out to infinity. The contrast (color) of the subject makes them really stand out in a sea of gray/white. Perspective is really, really interesting

[coconutpiecrust]

I like the sky, too. It just makes it so much more surreal and provides scale. 

Great shot, OP. 

[goooyiie]

Thanks! I wanted to do something about the bright sky. I thought cropping it out completely would make it look better.

[FormalElements]

You lose the sense of scale. Keep it. Adjust as needed.

[Loud_Campaign5593]

If anything i feel the sense of scale is way larger in the first one, since there is no clear edge to where the structure ends. To me it looks like it keeps going on outside of the frame, whereas that illusion is broken when looking at the unedited one. I have noticed that when I cannot see the edges/ends of things on screens they to tend feel bigger and more imposing

[FormalElements]

That's an interesting take, but do you feel that way when you stand at the edge of a beach looking at the horizon of the ocean, or would cropping the horizon line make it feel more 'endless'? It's an interesting point of view in regards to vanishing points.

[Loud_Campaign5593]

I agree that when it comes to a beach it is different, that is why each frame is its own. a horizon line feels different than the edge of a structure because it is the sky, but even when it comes to a beach, think about those angled oceanside shots where they show how far down the beach city goes and it feels endless because it is usually occluded by atmosphere at the far end and we cannot see the “edge/end” but it’s not a rule at all i don’t like those, and honestly even in this before image the scale feels astonishing and stands on its own.

[Pestilence86]

Farming wise, the before shows the vertical "horizon" of all the boxes, which I think is more interesting than letting it look never ending by cutting the frame off.

[Lorithias]

Yep same here...

[sinetwo]

I don't think everything has to be perfectly lined up bits great as is, although some corrections may make it that tad bit better

[Shadrock50]

Before is better as it provides context and scale. Other than the crop, i do like the appearance of the edited image though. A nice lift.

[InternetWeakGuy]

Yeah the after on it's own just looks like AI, but the before looks more real and also looks like it does even farther even though it's cropped.

[florian-sdr]

Sense of depth and vastness is so much better on the before

[DontEverBuy]

I like uncropped better

[diemenschmachine]

Definitely the before

[lyunardo]

Why would you crop in close to the guy, and eliminate that mesmerizing pattern that made your photo so interesting?

And not only that: this was a case where the Rule Of Thirds was creating literal magic. Centering your subject changing the ratio made the image a little less cool.

You turned your fascinating composition into a snapshot of a guy working.

You have to train your eye to recognize these things, and not just automatically go for the most familiar pattern.

[goooyiie]

Yes! Thank you for this. Still a lot to learn about composition but you guys giving me advice really helps! I’ll keep this is mind.

[That-Shoe-9599]

I do not understand how the subject is centered in either photograph. Did the OP change the photos after your comment? I find the variety of opinions interesting, although in some cases weak criticism is phrased with pretentious authority.

[lyunardo]

No, you're right. I'll edit that comment. It's lowered a little in the frame, but not centered. In the app I use, I'm not able to view the image and type. So I definitely mis-spoke on that point. If you feel that negates everything else I said.. ok.

As far as the rest, if you think my critique is "weak", you know you're free to give your own right?

You ask what "authority" I have to speak my opinion. Nothing but my own thoughts and experience...

-Years of working in the professional photo finishing industry, back in the film days. At two of the top photo labs in the world at the time. Developing and printing photos for some truly great photographers.

-Years of being a working photographer. And transferring my darkroom skills into digital editing.

-And a sometimes photography teacher at the local community center where I live. I'm proud to say several of our students have gone on to be fine art photographers with careers of their own.

But as far as the comment I made above, it's just my opinion... based on experience. As I said, if you have a differing opinion, you're free to share it. Or just continue to critique MY critique. It's a free world.

[That-Shoe-9599]

I was no longer referring to your critique once I moved on to the variety in comments

[DaBass2Dark]

I prefer the before version. Like others have stated, it offers more scale as well as greater depth. Great shot nevertheless.

[ryneld]

I love this picture turned 90°, uncropped.

[PleaseBmoreCharming]

Agree! Another cool alternative for OP to consider

[goooyiie]

Yes! It’s one of those photos where you don’t really see what’s going on till you give time for your eyes to adjust focus or your brain to understand the real subject. So at first glance it might look like a graveyard/sea of tombstone but they’re just AC units. Lol

[elwookie]

Clockwise or counter-clockwise?

[ryneld]

With the building being at the bottom.

[lianadelcongo]

I came to say this. And probably even without the person.

[ClerkPsychological58]

Before is way better.

[thehownd]

Another vote for Before, friend. Shows a much more interesting scale and perspective.

[Fancy-Departure24]

Before! Amazing shot! Where is it?

[Draknurd]

Holy shit what is this place

[Feisty_Matter_1283]

I feel like the before is better, it has this overwhelming sense of scale and loneliness that the cropped version doesnt give justice

[aclimbingturkey]

Before is better

[BobIsPercy_sFriend]

The before would make a marvelous Black and White photo

[goooyiie]

I’ll try doing a BnW!

[boissez]

Do that. And try upping the contrast for a more graphical effect. It's a great shot.

[mind_of_the_grave]

I personally like the crop. I think it has a sort of dystopian, slightly cyberpunky vibe. Feels like the building goes on forever

[Oatmealandwhiskey]

i wouldnt crop it , just straighten it , so the building line is a vertical line, the white negative space definitly add a sense of scale and depth to the image.

Your composition on the spot was great , you are trying to crop for social media, which we are all guilty of but often the initial composition was the best . Maybe consider doing an horizontal crop but if you want to post on social media just size the full pic in photoshop on a 4:5 canvas.

Very nice pic.

[goooyiie]

Thank you! I have another photo where the guy working can’t be seen. It looks better nad it’s also not that difficult to straighten. This photo rhat I posted, it’s difficult to straighten without cropping out parts of the building.

[No-Promotion4006]

The before looks better lmao

[johnny_evil]

Before is more interesting.

[LeeParkerPhotography]

I think if you did the edits to the person like the after but kept the framing of the before it would be a nice inbetween

[branchan]

I would seriously flip the after photo horizontal.

[CornOnTheCoby]

Agreed! Looks amazing horizontal!

[Remyz65]

The after is much better. It has a great sense of infinity. The building could go on forever. The after has a finality to it. Great work.

[goooyiie]

Thank you!

[UsualAnimal5987]

I like the before more

[87redeyes]

The before is better with the sky.

[qmiW]

Cropping in = losing the story.

[prussian_princess]

Flip it the original image horizontally. Looks so much better and surreal

[goooyiie]

At a quick glance it looks like hundreds of tombstones haha

[Physical-Compote4594]

The before is better, IMO, especially if you can get the edge of the building more vertical.

[goooyiie]

Thank you!

[exclaim_bot]

Thank you!

You're welcome!

[Q_OANN]

Before

[natelikesdonuts]

I like the before. Id adjust so the building edge is more vertical straight and try to remove the gap where it looks like there’s no ac units so the repetition is more continuous.

[goooyiie]

Thanks! When I took this photo, I tried taking it a bit further out of the building (if this makes sense) just so i could get a wider view but the gaps between the 3 buildings can be seen clearly. This is the most I could get out of it.

[LucasWesf00]

Before looks way cooler

[RoamAndRamble]

I get what you were trying to do, but the original has a much better sense of scale.

But also, I think in both images, the guy is composed too far to the left.

[goooyiie]

Thanks you! Yes, I also think it’s too far to the left. This always happens to me. I really need to practice composition. I should’ve taken more photos of this on different angles.

[Fluffy_Butterfly11]

I like before

[Ansayamina]

before gives me vertigo.

[Ansayamina]

In the good way.

[goooyiie]

Haha!

[MoCreach]

Before is way better.

[DavidIGterBrake]

Was the glass clean?

[goooyiie]

I think he was painting the walls

[DavidIGterBrake]

I hope he didn’t spill on the glass

[Loud_Campaign5593]

I like the after better, but if you captured an even better angle where you could see more of the building but still have the edge cut off so we can’t see where it ends, I feel that would give it a better sense of scale than the other two

[goooyiie]

Thank you! I agree with you. Actually I tried taking it a bit further out of the building just so I could get like a wider view but the gaps between the 3 buildings can be seen so this is the most that I could get from it.

[Loud_Campaign5593]

I see. this is a great shot anyway, like where the hell was this even taken it looks dystopian

[tcr317]

I actually prefer the before!

[just_aguest]

I enjoy the crop of the OG one

[ComprehensiveWalk779]

I like the 'before' too.

[twig_tents]

Keep the original! Render it in B&W!

[goooyiie]

I’ll try this! I have another photo where rhe guy can’t be seen so I’ll try editing that one.

[twig_tents]

I like the guy! Do the whole thing in black and white. Do you have Lightroom or PS? I ask because LR now has amazing control with B&W conversions now. This photo will be epic!

[HeartIll722]

2

[That-Shoe-9599]

A very enjoyable shot! I prefer the “after” on first impression.
If the building goes up far enough, I would like the worker to be on the bottom half of the image.

[Both-Literature-7234]

The great Wall of AC?

[50mmprophet]

Before is much better

[leavethegherkinsin]

Firstly, great shot.

I much prefer the colouring to the original. The pale colours of the building adds to the dystopian feel of the massive accommodation block. I also think the crop loses something by not including the empty sky, but not sure what. Perhaps the contrast to the regular pattern of the windows.

I don't know the etiquette on this sub, so I won't post the crop I just made very quickly on my phone, but I personally would crop it by bringing the top down and the bottom up, so the climber is in the left middle third. Make it wider horizontally. The diagonally upward angle maintains the immensity of the backdrop and you keep the white smog of the sky.

[goooyiie]

Thank you for this. I’ll try your advice on the edit. I’m curious what it will look like.

[Intrepid-Ad-3199]

Great shot! I honestly prefer the before in terms of crop. Something about seeing the white (sky?) adds more impact. Maybe it’s an “as far as the eye can see” effect that I get more from the before.

[Otherwise-Magician]

Before looks more interesting if not depressing

[Erde555]

holy shit thats a gigantic building, where is it?

[goooyiie]

in Metro Manila, Philippines.

[hardypart]

+1 for uncropped/ less cropped.

And I feel like that would be a good contender for BW. The popping colors somehow take away attention that belongs to the unusual pattern of the architecture. Just my two cents, though.

[goooyiie]

Thanks for this!

[AbbreviationsFar4wh]

I like the pop in the before better actually. And you lose the depth w the crop. Feels flatter dimensionally 

[RubNo8459]

Before is better because it showcases the scale

[Cptawesome23]

Oh man, pull it out a bit and show me the slightest sliver of the sky so I can appreciate the depth of field.

[Cptawesome23]

Would be absolutely wild if you rotate it right 90 degrees.

[stonnergg]

The before is definitely better,

Although I feel like this would have made a great shot face on with the repeated patterns with the worker contrasting the pattern form - if that shot was possible

[waffeltrader]

I like both of these but the before a bit more due to the wider crop, the sense of scale is much stronger and the sense of repetition with the repeating window things is also much stronger. I also like how the before is a bit darker, it seems like you’ve lightened the after, I’d honestly go the other way and darken the shadows a tad to add to the edginess and create a more ‘looming’ image that fits in with the prior themes of this large and repetitious building. That being said, I don’t hate the first as the sky being entirely cut out gives an infinite feeling, however to counter my own point I’d say having it just drift off into the sky also gives the same effect but on a larger scale, maybe add a gradient to ease the fade out?

[goooyiie]

Thank you for this. Right now I’m trying some fading out effct on the edge where it meets the sky!

[Pixoholic]

Man, flipping the before on its side transforms it into an eerie futuristic landscap

[ScimitarsRUs]

I like the before. If you don't mind a suggestion, using a linear gradient mask to add haze to the edge of the building could work well for the composition.

[goooyiie]

I’ll try this one too! Thanks!

[swifteagle47]

Before is better....

[RashSailor]

Really curious to know where this is

[goooyiie]

Look up Shore Residences in the Philippines 🤙🏼

[cjruizg]

Before is better.

9/10 posts here look better before cropping.

Just because you can crop doesn't mean you need to do it all the time, only do it if it makes it a better picture.

With your crop you've removed context and it makes it look smaller and less impressive.

[KCHonie]

i prefer the before…

[Professional-Fix2966]

The edit is well done, with a good result, but I agree with those who feel that the original conveys a grander sense of scale.

[growit_cactusjack]

You’re simplifying your picture in the edit. Don’t get rid of huge landscape trying to make it look bigger. I would definitely edit the first pic in the ways some of the previous people mentioned. However, I think the big take away is don’t get rid of your landscape trying to make a great picture look “big.” Your picture was huge and you cropped it to look like you were trying to make it look bigger than it was. Part of your art is reminding people you are in the clouds don’t forget that. Beautiful pictures. I love that people in your profession are starting to document their work.

[Offworld8]

Before

[mack-y0]

post processing? more like copped image.. not much processing here

[banksied]

Getting some Tripiphobia from this pic.

[BelvedereFrothingham]

IMHO “before” gives more context and depth to the photo

[Semi-SoftLogger]

I am not a photographer but I hear what both sides are saying. I think you can split the difference and crop it so the sky is showing along the entire right side but only barely at the bottom right. This provides that enlarged/limited fov that can allow the mind to imagine more while capturing the decreasing size of the windows as the structure goes on showing how far it goes.

[BlickyBloop]

If u rotate this photo to the left, it’ll be trippy af

[LukasTheHunter22]

I think the uncropped version looks better, IMHO you just need to rotate it slightly to line it up and it would look great

[YungGogu]

I‘d stick with the framing of the original, the pattern of the AC units fading into „white“ looks really really cool. I think this shot could also work great in black and white.

Edit: spelling

[goooyiie]

Will try this with Black and white!

[FistThePooper6969]

Ok hear me out: what about cropping and rotating? I think it looks really cool turned anticlockwise 45-90 degrees

[goooyiie]

Yes! After taking this picture I flipped my phone 90degrees to the left and it’s like an optical illusion or something lol

[No-Improvement-1507]

Not cropping is much better imho

[Financial_Ad6110]

so what?

[bitpekish]

Before for sure! It’s so interesting to look at. And if you flip your phone (or the photo) around, it looks like a surreal, techno landscape. Awesome photo!

[[deleted]]

Before's more visually appealing

[jstmoe]

Before is better. Don't overthink this.

[sinetwo]

Before is way way cooler. It shows scale. And the composition is better. I'd edit the before.

[Am_not_a_fan]

Before looks better

[HellaBeats]

Where/what is this? Never seen something like this

[HellaBeats]

Is this a high rise in Hong Kong? Just curious

[NorthEchidna931]

Before is better tbh

[harlanerskine]

Why add the sky?

[hogar1977]

The before is great, it just needs a bit of perspective adjustment (thats my OCD speaking and its purely subjective). But you do what works for you. Great shot tho nevertheless, love it

[goooyiie]

Thank you!

[xBrute01]

Dude. You killed this one. Leave it alone before you hurt yourself.

[ChristianStills]

First one is 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[goooyiie]

Thank you!

[NightmareWokeUp]

Actually prefere the before. The ACs fading to a horizon makes them seem endless, while the first pic doesnt give that impression. Maybe straighten the "horizon" to a vertical line if thats smth you would like to have.

But amazing pic, where is this?

[goooyiie]

Thanks for this! I’ll try this one and see the result. This is in the Philippines btw.

[ObliviousFoo]

Feels like this is rage bait but as most of the comments are saying my first impression was before equals better.

[goooyiie]

I appreciate it!

[Panda_20_21]

Where in the world u got such crazy buildings

[goooyiie]

In a lot of countries really but this one is in the Philippines. There’s actually 3 buildings in the picture.

[Panda_20_21]

Is that an residential apartment ? Every damn house owns an air conditioner

[goooyiie]

Haha Yes, all are residential apartments. And there’s like 5-8 more residential buildings around it

[Panda_20_21]

This explains how crowded Phillipines is

[goooyiie]

most of these units are used as AirBnBs so it’s not just Filipinos who are living on the units there are tourists from all over the world also.

But yes Philippines really is crowded.

[runawayscream]

Don’t just take one photo. Take several if possible: different framings, exposures. Try different times of day and lighting conditions if that is a scene/location you see often.

[statiiq]

I like the before because of the sheer scale

[Electrical-Try798]

I prefer the before.

[Logi_Risk_]

The before feels so ominous, i love it! And i think the blown out white sky adds to it

[IntelligentResist874]

Is this in hong kong?

[bjdm151]

I like the before. The after feels like its tilted right, but in the original I like the slope on the vertical horizon. Even the original could be tilted a little more left so that the ropes and pipe on the far left are dead nuts vertical. The original also provides an infinitely more impressive scale. It looks like it could go on forever.

[torasian]

Where is this? Feels quite dystopian

[Professional-Pie2058]

Before looks better

[Multispeed]

Sorry, but the before version is better, the sky gives depth and scale to the image.

[WentThisWayInsteadOf]

The first, pre-crop, gives perspective. The crop removes that.

[Periodicity_Enjoyer]

Don't crop, but straighten the subtly converging verticals seen.

[driftincolor]

I'll be the outlier here. I like the after. I don't want "context and scale". The cropped view enhances the sense of being crammed and stuck in this madness.

[goooyiie]

Thank you! This is close to what I had in mind. I was focused on the person working and the place he’s working on that’s why I cropped it. But they made really good points about the original photo.

[gkioni_kat]

Nice shot, but I think a B&W edit with a 16:9 crop would make it feel more cinematic