STEPS, just some steps

I would have preferred this image if the peak of the roof was shown. I would also have preferred it if the right hand edge of the print was in a vertical line at the eave edge. This would have caused the geometric pattern of round objects to be split down the middle.

Why did you use the light yellow filter? I am guessing that the bricks are red and the masonry is neutral grey.

Was the contrast needs such as to require the use of split grade printing?

"I would have preferred this image if the peak of the roof was shown."

I would too. But the constraints at the time offered either a snip at the peak or cut off some steps.

"I would also have preferred it if the right hand edge of the print was in a vertical line at the eave edge. "

The right is cropped at a corner of the extention. To include more would have given another dimention that led to infinity. It was not pretty. The verticle line of the dark criss-cross bricks was intended to be the focal point and the main reason for making the picture. This intent was lost in the darkroom when the final composition was considered. To feature the criss-cross bricks necessatated dealing with the steps and anything short of full representation was incomplete.

"Why did you use the light yellow filter? I am guessing that the bricks are red and the masonry is neutral grey."

Firstly, the bricks are not red nor is the masonry a neutral grey except where trod upon. The bricks are a brown color to complement the adobe roof tiles and the masonry has been painted white. The light yellow filter was chosen to enhance contrast between the black criss-crossed bricks and the brown bricks surrounding them. It was chosen to show some detail in the base of the handrail that was lost in the bright sun.

"Was the contrast needs such as to require the use of split grade printing?"

Actually the contrast range was not great, something about 3 stops. Split grade printing is my standard procedure. I don't subscribe to the notion that a negative must meet a contrast requirement to benefit from it.