Hello Andrew! I think your exposure is quite good. I presume this was taken at the Ascot Horse races. This is a good example of how one image can tell a story. My eye goes directly to the lightest area of the man in the white shirt and then to the woman standing behind him with a look of displeasure. For me, the eye flow is in a counter-clockwise direction. In my opinion, I am a bit bothered by the sign that divides the image in half. I think if it was left out, it would be a very strong image and good example of photojournalism. If you hadn't told us that it was taken a few years ago, I would have assumed it was a few decades ago. For me, the main interest is what is happening in front of the sign.   Posted: 09/10/2020 14:32:46

Andrew, now that I've seen a few of your photographs, I know that you have an excellent eye for street photography and also for images that give insight to the human condition. You know a good opportunity when you see it, and this was definitely one of them.
However, the sign in the middle does create a distraction. You could try getting around this by divind the image in half and posting the two sides next to each other.
I agree that the image looks like it was taken in the 60s. I think that says something about how people dress up for the Ascot, want to preserve that tradition. But the effect on me is that I don't really know what is going on (also, I have no experience with betting).
I think the picture you wanted was probably angled off to the left and in front of the sign that divides the picture.   Posted: 09/16/2020 14:14:10

Andrew, I can't suggest anything further to improve Ascot Bookmakers. It has impact, it has foreground sharpness, and background interest. Not being British, I had to Google Ascot to see what it is finding this: "The centrepiece of Ascot's year is held in June: Royal Ascot is arguably the world's most famous race meeting, steeped in history dating back to 1711. The royal family attend the meeting, arriving each day in a procession of horse-drawn carriages from Windsor Castle through the great park and the village of Cheapside." Ah ha, it is a historical horse race with traditional royal family attendence.

Great capture!   Posted: 09/18/2020 12:15:11

Hi Andrew. I agree with the comments of the others about the perceived timing of this image. I wonder if darkening the people in the background a little would make us concentrate even more on what is happening in the main part of the image. It is a shame that the board chops out so much of the image, but it is what it is and it is a part of the story. I like the various stories that are being told in this image.   Posted: 09/19/2020 17:41:31

My eye is drawn to the lightest and darkest area of the picture and they are right next to each other - white shirt and dark drape. The sign post is a distraction.
I really thought this was an older photo and it is very interesting it is not. That information makes me really look at the photo.   Posted: 09/21/2020 09:15:22

Yes, the sign divides the picture in half but I think the sign is part of the story as is the ubiquitous bag and the clerk taking down the bets. I have taken other pictures from the other side of the notice board but IMHO these are not quite as interesting as you don't see the punter's facial expressions.
I feel the left hand side needs cropping - there are two jackets in the bottom left hand corner so I have also taken out the other post at the top left hand side and some lettering at the top right hand side. Not a great picture but maybe a little better.   Posted: 09/25/2020 07:23:09

I think this is 1993 BTW.   Posted: 09/25/2020 10:28:02