Silage making in hills to east of Kendal in Cumbria. Had to stop and take in the abstract pattern of the cut grass even though it was almost dusk. Sort of homage to Giacomelli. Taken with a long lens. Couldn't get any closer to eliminate the house so it stayed in. Is it a distraction/detrimental?
The compression of the long lens and the lack of atmospheric distance (probably due to burning the top of the print down) does give the appearance of a house with a mural painted behind it...very 2-dimensional!
That's great if that is what you want and intended -- it does make for an interesting representation of the scene.
Many thanks for all of the responses. I'm a little overwhelmed and still not sure that this a wholly succesful picture but some of the comments regarding cropping options might just improve things. I'm probably most dissapointed by the quality of the grain on this, particularly in the sky. Losing more of that would certainly help but I still feel that this hinders the definition and, to some extent, the tonal contarst that I was hoping for in the lines of cut and gathered grass. However, given that it was almost dark and yet the house has rendered quite acceptably I perhaps shouldn't grumble too much.
I agree with Murray, cropping off the sky and tree does make this a stronger photo. No, the house is needed. It is what makes the photo more than just a photo of an interesting abstract design, with with the house in and the sky cropped out, it is an arresting photo. Thanks.