Photographer's Note
More Birmingham in Black and White!
Before people get me straightening lines and presenting it all face on let me say that this is how I want it!! These two guys were up and down this building like Yo Yo's - I got so engrossed in watching them I nearly got wiped out by a heavy lorry as I stopped mid-road to grab another angle on them. When I got real close to the building and they were quite low down I could hear them chatting to each other at nineteen to the dozen!.
George Formby fans will recognise the title and maybe a little of how I felt (about them) when I heard these two guys talking - I like the friendliness, humour and warmth lots of Brummies seem to have carried through into the 21st Century!
WHEN I'M CLEANING WINDOWS
From the film "Keep Your Seats Please" (1936)
(Formby / Gifford / Cliffe)
George Formby - 1936
I go window cleaning to earn an honest bob.
For a nosey parker it's an interesting job
Now it's a job that just suits me, a window cleaner you will be.
If you could see what I can see
When I'm cleaning windows.
The honeymooning couples too, you should see them bill and coo.
You'd be surprised at things they do
When I'm cleaning windows.
In my profession I work hard, but I'll never stop.
I'll climb this blinking ladder ‘‘til I get right to the top.
The blushing bride she looks divine, the bridegroom he is doing fine
I'd rather have his job than mine
When I'm cleaning windows.
The chambermaid sweet names I call, it's a wonder I don't fall.
My minds not on my work at all
When I'm cleaning windows
I know a fellow such a swell, he has a thirst it's plain to tell.
I've seen him drink his bath as well
When I'm cleaning windows
In my profession I work hard, but I'll never stop.
I'll climb this blinking ladder ‘til I get right to the top.
Pyjamas lying side by side, ladies nighties I have spied.
I've often seen what goes inside, when I'm cleaning windows.
There's a famous talkie queen, looks a flapper on the screen.
She's more like eighty than eighteen
When I'm cleaning windows.
She pulls her hair all down behind, then pulls down her, never mind
After that pulls down the blind
When I'm cleaning windows.
In my profession I work hard, but I'll never stop.
I'll climb this blinking ladder ‘til I get right to the top.
At eight o'clock a girl she wakes, at five past eight a bath she takes.
When I'm cleaning windows.
Critiques | Translate
RGatward
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3755 W: 141 N: 3794]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-g-g.gif){kind=small}
(20086) 2005-03-26 4:39
Yes, I guess you don't need a note for this one. Very well scene shot, not only a perfectly placed cleaning platform, but also very well balanced by the distorted reflection.
Midnight_sun
(1941) 2005-03-26 4:56
I like the grid running through this shot and how the square window cleaning platform contrasts with the heavy distortion of the reflected building. There is a certain david and goliath feel as the platform has a similar shape to the reflected building. Well done.
nickthegreek82
![Gold Star Critiquer [C: 136 W: 7 N: 167]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-n-n.gif){kind=small}
(1708) 2005-03-26 5:16
Great shot!
I love the black and white , and how small man looks! Working in a huge buoilding in which mirrors another huge building
Interesting!
Well done!
nerve
(10231) 2005-03-26 6:05
hi Kev, i love this shot!!
wonderful, everythings is in the right place!
its very inspiring for me somehow.
Thank you for that..
bw
clodreno
(0) 2005-03-26 6:17
A very nice image Kev..Always very difficult to do when not at the same level.. It's nice mainly because of the shadow on the right.
Very impresive work. I am always impressed by people doing this kind of job. I sue to clim when younger, and now I got older and also develop vertigo... terrible..so imagine...
flydragon
(0) 2005-03-26 6:18
Hi Kev
a great shot
amazing
good choice about black and white
this is also a very graphic picture
well seen
••simon••
olopez
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor [C: 214 W: 56 N: 485]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-g-n.gif){kind=small}
(4959) 2005-03-26 6:40
A very good shot, perfectly placed platform and nice reflection.
I love the squared effect.
Happy easter.
bantonbuju
(51815) 2005-03-26 7:22
richard - here indeed kev does not need any note; kev - with all respect i am not reading before writting this critique, i must express my "unspoilt" thoughts - a "liquid" building, crying "mirrored" view, undisturbed plain graphism;
beauty;
now i'm gonna read what kev thought we should think about this piece of art :-))
Galeota
(10352) 2005-03-26 9:27
Hi Kev. A graphical subject in which the reflections and the conjunction of lines stand out. I wonder if I wouldn't have myself corrected the perspective, but that's not really a flaw. It comes out nice in b&w although a bit more contrast would have allowed you to have a wider gammut.
gringofil
(0) 2005-03-26 10:17
Cool composition. I like how the image is divided into two: on one side you've got the building itself and on the other the building and the reflection. The lines lead my eyes through the shot and the window cleaning boys break the pattern and make the image that much more interesting. Good work.
commenta
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor [C: 169 W: 0 N: 0]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-s-n.gif){kind=small}
(0) 2005-03-26 15:35
Contraste entre la nettetι et le flou trθs rιussi dans ce clichι noir et blanc.
Le cadrage est bien pensι avec ce laveur de vitre sur la gauche en bas de l'image.
Bonne soirιe
claude
Ebbe
(9625) 2005-03-26 16:55
You placed youself well getting the platform in a clean area and letting the reflection rule over the roght side. I like the slant of the grid too. Classic golden cut position of the platform.
papagolf21
(152525) 2005-03-26 17:14
Bonsoir Kev,
Le sens de la crιation photographique est de dιpeindre des objets ordinaires tels que leur reflet apparaξtrait dans des miroirs magiques !
Bravo pour l'originalitι.
Very well done.
Joyeuses Pβques.
Philippe
sandip
(3492) 2005-03-26 22:53
Superb Graphism Kev.. I was getting addicted day by day by seeing all those great composition by you.. and could not resist myself to post one of mine from Birmingham..
This one is really nice and wellcaptured.
for me.. the added thing which we got is the song in your note..Thanks.
orme
(7219) 2005-03-26 23:29
A very impressive shot, Kev. Well framed. I like the reference to George Formby and the image it creates in my mind between Birmingham in the 1930's and this modern glass goliath in your photo. I shall be humming that song for the rest of the day - thanks!
Hauke
(12) 2005-03-27 4:57
Perfectly balanced shot, Kev. Amazing lines and reflections, the platform appears like a point of tranquility even at its height in front of the building. Well done, turning to b&w, underlines the graphical character of your shot. TFS.
manny
(22032) 2005-03-28 10:42
Very very nice. Excellent graphism. I am glad you didn't make the lines perpendicular to the frame.
johnhopkins
(866) 2005-03-30 5:17
Beautifully composed with the area of the reflection and the window cleaners placed absolutely perfectly. Great title and note too.
avis2avis
(4264) 2005-04-11 5:40
Wow what a shot and IMO its perfectly all right to not straighten the lines. Excellent conversion to BW and a good choice to do so. Well done Kev! This was most enjoyable.
TBasco
![Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 36 W: 0 N: 31]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/s-n-s.gif){kind=small}
(143) 2005-06-15 6:47
yeah! there should always be room for uneven horizons and diagonal lines in a good photograph. it gives fresher if not better perspectives to a scene. and as it is, over-all, not just the lines but the choice of non-colors, and the sharpness of one side of the image against the other's captured distortion (i call that 'found-art'), the total look that you framed including the interesting note...way to go Kev! (elementary expression, but that's just how artwork can be affecting at times, one becomes young and excited about life).
jeancolemonts
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 63 W: 0 N: 49]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-n-s.gif){kind=small}
(648) 2005-07-07 19:38
really nice and intrigueing photo , i mean the reflections , you see them and trie to discover what it really is , good job with line of the windows .
gazmo
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 100 W: 32 N: 58]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-s-g.gif){kind=small}
(274) 2005-07-25 3:56
Kev, nice original photo with interesting reflections. You have also made it humourous by linking it back to George Formby! He even got air-time on Australian radio! Well done, Garry
alekpet
(4663) 2005-07-25 4:09
That's a nice FOV. I like this lines: "In my profession I work hard, but I'll never stop.
I'll climb this blinking ladder ‘til I get right to the top." That's a nice message to all of us.
Aleks
annagrace
(2469) 2005-07-27 15:14
LOL at the comments! Your photo is great with the reflection of the other building in it. B&W is a good choice as it makes one focus on the platform well.
Cheers,
Alli
sayzey
(2358) 2005-09-04 20:28
Hey kev, gerat shot, very well seen this, impressive building, and impressive reflection, but uninteresting on its own, with the window cleaner it is brilliant!
Very well captured, I like your tilt after seeing it this way I imagine if it was straightened it woudl look wrong!
fahrik
(175) 2005-09-20 10:08
I like this image for:
Contrast in lines (straight and curved)
Interesting note
Funny atmosphere
gbarto
(1275) 2005-09-22 17:01
Magnifique image toute en contraste :
- contraste dans les volumes : la nacelle qui s'oppose au reflet de droite dans la photo
- contraste entre les ligne droites de la structure de l'immeuble et les lignes tordues du reflet dans les vitres
Vraiment trθs belle image, un exemple ΰ se rappeler pour progresser !
Merci
Splendid image all in contrast:
- contrast in volumes: the "nacelle" on the left which is opposed to the reflection of right-hand side in the photo - contrast in the straight line of the structure of the building and the twisted lines of the reflection the panes
Vraiment very beautiful image, an example to remember to progress!
Thank you
icecream (34) 2005-09-27 12:18
how odd... if i never looked at the description where it says black & white, it never would've clicked. very nice composition.
knmart
(106) 2005-09-27 12:41
well, its all been said, great shot, wouldnt of thought about taking a pic of this,
well done
Calimero76
(10957) 2005-12-10 14:59
Hi Kev
a very graphic image that I like much
I have pleasure to see all your images but I regret much not all understanding your texts because my English is too bad
regards
Patrice
![Silver Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 10 W: 0 N: 339]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/s-n-g.gif){kind=small}
ancevski
(3358) 2006-01-18 9:27
Kev,
this is excellent photo with great composition.
well done, I like it a lot,
Dragan
picardo
(2459) 2006-02-10 6:06
Beautifull compisition. These two man in this kind of "cage" in the middle of all of that "huge window"... with all that work to do!.. I'm exausted only watching them!... The building reflection it's a perfect touch!
Congratulations!.
bishansamaddar
(868) 2006-03-01 3:25
what a fabulous photograph. i love how the reflected building melts as if within the grids, as if the grids cannot hold it from defying orderliness. i sense a deep meaning in the composition. thank you for the image:)
Albrecht
(11283) 2006-06-21 5:28
Hi Kev
Great compo using the reflections and the wondowcleaner. I like the windows and the B&W. I did something like that a year ago:
gr.Albrecht
colinbrenchley
(6431) 2006-08-27 4:10
Kev
Great minds think alike. I took one that looks almost the same as this, in Hong Kong, but did not have the reflection of another building. The cradle was in almost the same position as well. Plus I gave it the same title!
Regards Colin
ruisc_pt
(11544) 2006-10-02 11:32
glass reflections:
not only the light but also the sound...
no more words :)
TFS
Juzo
(3031) 2009-12-12 2:14
Hi Kev,
Brilliant relfection and composition. I love these kind of images and this is very well done indeed!
Regards
Justin
Photo Information
-
Copyright: Kev Ryan (KevRyan)
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1784 W: 193 N: 5128]](//i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(22956) - Genre: Τοποθεσίες
- Medium: Μαύρο & Ασπρο
- Date Taken: 2005-03-09
- Categories: Καθημερινότητα
- Camera: Canon EOS 10D
- Έκδοση φωτογραφίας: Πρωτότυπη έκδοση
- Θέμα(τα): Reflections, Your Favourites, Window cleaners from around the world, KR's Own Choices [view contributor(s)]
- Date Submitted: 2005-03-26 4:35
- Αγαπημένα: 1 [view]
Discussions
- To RGatward: When I'm Cleaning Windows..! (1)
by KevRyan, last updated 2005-03-26 04:46 - To Midnight_sun: Slingshots and windows! (1)
by KevRyan, last updated 2005-03-26 05:04 - To bantonbuju: humour (1)
by KevRyan, last updated 2005-03-26 09:35 - To Hauke: Balance (1)
by KevRyan, last updated 2005-03-27 01:56 - To orme: Humming for Easter! (1)
by KevRyan, last updated 2005-03-27 02:00 - To papagolf21: merci (1)
by KevRyan, last updated 2005-03-27 02:03 - To clodreno: Vertigo (3)
by KevRyan, last updated 2005-03-27 11:30 - To johnhopkins: Windows (1)
by KevRyan, last updated 2005-03-30 01:50 - To avis2avis: Enjoyment (1)
by KevRyan, last updated 2005-04-11 05:37 - To gbarto: Thanks Georges (1)
by KevRyan, last updated 2005-09-22 05:38
