Flowershop.

[SwissJon]

I've been trying to capture street art and people going about their every day life on my little Lumix P&S, I came across this flower shop and decided it was a good candidate.. It's just round the corner from where I work, so I can go back and try again, so I'd like your comments on:
Composition: Does this angle work? Is the photo too busy? Do you see a story in this photo or is it just a random picture? Maybe a closer shot with less path in front?

Post Processing.. Should I attack the ghostly feet in the foreground within PS to get rid of them or do they add to the photo? Have I gone too far with the B&W conversion? (This was originally shot in colour and the grafitti on the left of the doorway and the flowers on the right were clearly visible.)

Anything else you might want to add.

Exif:
Camera: Panasonic DMC-TZ10
Focal Length 9.1 mm (About 50mm equiv)
Exposure 1.3s at f3.9
ISO 80
Flash: No


31st january 2011 by SwissJon, on Flickr

[Eileen D]

Jon, for me the image is too busy. When it came up on my screen, my eyes began moving throughout but couldn't really settle anywhere. Finally I ended up resting on the two wheels on the flower cart because of the balance and repetition. Some of it may be that in your conversion the blacks are really dark and the whites really light, so that the details get lost. I'd be curious to see the scene in color -- and to see what the grafitti looks like!

I do think the location has definite possibilities. I like the idea of the figure (which I didn't even notice at first) being a part of the scene, perhaps in a more direct way. I know that's just a matter of luck as to whether or not someone is outside the shop but it might be a good shot to see a potential customer intrigued by what is there. I also think there are many possible closeups here. I look forward to seeing more of the same spot to see what you try!

[SwissJon]

Thanks.. I totally agree with your critique about the busyness.. I think I'll attempt a different angle tomorrow.

It was sooo cold, I had to wait 10 mins for someone to pause long enough for me to get them.. I've a lot of photos with people with movement blur! I wish she'd been a bit more to the right as that might have allowed me a tighter crop, but I'm not convinced that would have reduced the busyness in the picture.

Looking back at the original, the thing I thought was graffiti was mostly ghostly trails left by 2 people walking in front of the camera..

OK, Well if the subject has potential, I'll go back and see what I can make of it.

[benchdog]

Hi Jon,

I like the location a lot and I'm glad it's close by so you can experiment with it. For me this shot doesn't work for b/w conversion because so much of the detail is lost in the conversion and it also tends to flatten the image somewhat. I would love to see this in color. But then art and critiques are always subjective.

This location offers a lot of different and unique compositions I would shoot it a hundred different ways. I also look forward to seeing more shots from this location.

I would definitely attack the ghostly feet, for me it looks like a blown exposure.

Keep up the good work

Looking forward to your next images from here!

[sgeary]

I love the location...I think for a black and white it is a bit to dark..I love the ghostly feet...I am not in love with how busy it is...If it were in color I think my eye would settle but it keeps trying to fixate on a point and it can't...

[SwissJon]

Ok, since you insist, here's the colour version. It doesn't really have the street feel I was looking for but knock yourselves out


31st january 2011 by SwissJon, on Flickr

[Krusty79]

When I first saw the shot, my reaction was, "Wow, what is all of this? What am I looking at?" So, I agree that the shot is busy. The woman's head gets lost in the window reflection, so it's not easily identifiable as a woman in front of a flower shop, so the story was lost on me. There is a lot of detail lost in the dark areas. I am able to easily identify the color image, but it doesn't have the same feel.

Maybe if you could time it so that we can see someone in front of the shop holding some flowers or someone leaving the shop with flowers in hand, then the story will be more apparent?

Can you fix that sloping sidewalk?

[SwissJon]

Originally Posted by Krusty79

When I first saw the shot, my reaction was, "Wow, what is all of this? What am I looking at?" So, I agree that the shot is busy. The woman's head gets lost in the window reflection, so it's not easily identifiable as a woman in front of a flower shop, so the story was lost on me. There is a lot of detail lost in the dark areas. I am able to easily identify the color image, but it doesn't have the same feel.

Maybe if you could time it so that we can see someone in front of the shop holding some flowers or someone leaving the shop with flowers in hand, then the story will be more apparent?

Can you fix that sloping sidewalk?

OK, I'll sit outside the shop until I find someone!

I live in Switzerland.. What do you think?? I think a slight change in angle would probably help. Maybe a tighter crop.

[Krusty79]

For me, the main issue is that I could not immediately identify this shot as a woman considering her purchase in front of the shop. I wonder if the scene would be more readily identifiable if you reduced the contrast? I'm not sure which crop/angle would help in this regard.

So, they have those idiot taggers in Switzerland also? I'd like to spray "LOSER" on all of their foreheads!

[benchdog]

OK I actually like this better.

I now see more of the ghostly feet depicting the busyness of the street, I'm next drawn to the lady browsing for flowers, and then to the lit shop which draws my attention into the shop. It's a busy shot but it's suppose to be busy.

The buildings level and that's what should be level. Like you said you live in Switzerland I don't think there are many level walks there.

What might work if you really want this in bw is to shoot it on a day when it's raining or snowing. I have found those conditions lend themselves to nice conversions.

Personally I love it, great shot it tells me a lot about the corner! Can't wait to see more from different perspectives.