Processed black and white need feedback please.

[fabianc]

I was in Europe back in July and this photo is from Amsterdam that I shot in color and processed to black and white with Adobe Lightroom. All feedback welcome.

[dcclark]

First, welcome to DPS! You're in the right place for learning about photography.

Second, please be sure to read the Critique Forum Rules. There are some details you should take care of (such as posting your exposure information -- shutter speed, aperture, etc.)

Now, on to the critique. First, I kind of like the overall effect. This is a nice slice of life. It feels like I'm watching a real, everyday street scene, perhaps from the 1960s (the B&W does that for me.)

However, there is a lot going on in this image. There are a lot of things competing for my eye. Many lines, shapes, and textures, and the people almost get lost in all of them. This can be tricky when you're shooting in a busy place (like a city), but it is important to try to shoot so as to emphasize your subject.

Speaking of which -- it seems clear that the women are your subject. However, you've cut off just a bit of their feet. It makes a lot more sense to have all of them, or much less of them, visible. With their feet being cut off, it feels more accidental. Similarly, the barrier post in the bottom left, and the column on the right side, are cut off in a haphazard way as well.

These are all just things to think about. One good question you might ask yourself is: what story am I trying to tell with this photo? If you can answer that question, it will guide you towards improving your own photography automatically.

Keep it up!

[Afflictionphotography]

I agree with dcclark...there is a lot going on...and my eye is drawn more to the white building on the right..maybe a lens correction would draw more attention to the subjects....Keep it up.