Kissing pigeons in Venice

[shannonje]

Please critique my shot (and processing):



The original is here if you're interested. Thanks.

[subrataofkris]

Shannon, I wish you eliminated the photographer and used minimum DOF to make all the rest of the background (tourists, pillars etc) blurred. When you shoot such scenes, zoom in and concentrate on the main event (the man kissing the pigeons) and make sure they are sharp, well-lit and over-shadow everything else.

[wulf]

Originally Posted by subrataofkris

Shannon, I wish you eliminated the photographer and used minimum DOF to make all the rest of the background (tourists, pillars etc) blurred. When you shoot such scenes, zoom in and concentrate on the main event (the man kissing the pigeons) and make sure they are sharp, well-lit and over-shadow everything else.

I don't quite agree with this as I think the presence of the photographer makes this picture more interesting (although it could do with better title, acknowledging that).

However, you still have to think about what is going on in the background - for example, you have a "little man" popping out of the camera where most people have a flash unit

In post-processing you can probably clone him out smoothly; when taking the picture you can either take lots of pictures and select the best, wait for the right moment or alter your point of view (eg. getting lower so that the background is a higher part of the cathedral, above the crowds).

Wulf