A frame within a frame

[aam1234]

What do you think guys.

[Rense]

aam1234,

Not my cup of tea, because:

Is there any chance that there is also a white horizontal part at the bottom, if so it would give a much more framed view?
Secondly I would remove te umbrella thing + flowers, it gives you a much more focused view,
third: if would masked out the doorbel.

[aam1234]

Thanks Rense, appreciate your comment,

There is no line at the bottom because there are steps there, as you would expect.

The umbrella: for me at least, the umbrella is giving the door a strong support. One might even think that the umbrella is the main subject here. I certainly did when I took this photo. I took the photo to capture the umbrella.

I think the door bell and the upper light are a nice touch, and supports the "old house" theme.

What do you think Rense.

[Rense]

aam1234,
To bad for the white bar, but you can't have everything.
I wrote my comment thinking that the title of the post was the most important subject of the photograph,
for me that rules out that the umbrella is the most important subject.

Agreed that the bell and light give it an old house theme.

[aam1234]

To tell you the truth Rense, I'm not too sure which is the main subject. I certainly took the photo to capture the umbrella though.

Good thoughts there, makes me think about the main subject next time. The subject of the photo should be obvious. It's not here.

I learned something from your comment Rense. Thanks.

[Rense]

aam1234,
why was the umbrella so important?

[aam1234]

Good question.

Really liked the soft light and the gentle shadows there. Also the change of colors and light, from the door to the umbrella.

[Rense]

aam1234,
In that case follow the old adagium, if you can get closer, get closer:

[aam1234]

Wow, that looks much better!

Super idea, Rense. Thanks.

[Rense]

well, than I leave it to you, to make a picture without the umbrella and plants

[aam1234]

Good thing I took it in Raw. I can mess with it as much as I like.

Have a Karma on me for a great suggestion, Rense. Thank you.

[ohenry]

Just my 2 cents, but I find the 1st image much more appealing aesthetically than the cropped version. But, the change has created a completely DIFFERENT image, whether or not it's better is up to the eye of the viewer.

[Rense]

ohenry,
I agree on your statement regarding the first pic. But I tried to get the umbrella central.

[aam1234]

Agree with Ohenry, they are completely two different photos. Though I like Rense's version better. Mine is a bit too confusing, one can't tell what the subject is.

[dstivers]

If you'd included the steps, it might have led the viewer into the photograph, stressing the passage into the courtyard beyond.

OTOH, to stress the umbrella w/colors & light change, could you have shot from within the doorway (is it a hall?); you still have the color in the windows on the right, and if it's a hall, could use the end of the hall for framing the umbrella.

I think it also raises the issue of appropriate scale; the umbrella would no doubt be much more prominent in an 8x12 print.

[aam1234]

Good points there dstivers. Let me go check the original to see how it was captured.