[Vicioustuna2012]

What do you guys think?

Attached Images

View Picture EXIF

File Date

 

[Adam]

I like the composition and the B&W conversion. The scene is just a little bit too busy, IMO, and lacks a central focus point, but it has a lot of potential given nice the lighting. To fix this I would crop away the top, starting at just below the mirror in the upper-right corner. Also, clone out the distraction in the lower-left corner. This leads to a much more balanced and effective composition, IMO, and it will make the bridge and cast shadow become the focal point, and also leads your eye up the path since it won't want to wander up to the sky.

[Vicioustuna2012]

I like the composition and the B&W conversion. The scene is just a little bit too busy, IMO, and lacks a central focus point, but it has a lot of potential given nice the lighting. To fix this I would crop away the top, starting at just below the mirror in the upper-right corner. Also, clone out the distraction in the lower-left corner. This leads to a much more balanced and effective composition, IMO, and it will make the bridge and cast shadow become the focal point, and also leads your eye up the path since it won't want to wander up to the sky.

Thanks for the advice! I think the crop does need work, and it's something I really was hung up on. There's so much stuff in this alleyway, and I specifically wish I could get a shot with that dumpster gone! Maybe I need to brush up on my PhotoShop skills. I'm sure someone knows how to remove something that big...I don't.

This raises a question for me. I usually crop to a standard size (I like 5x7), but on this shot specifically I tried a custom crop, and it seemed to work better...but I still reverted back to the 5x7 you see here. Is it common for people to use custom crop? I guess it depends on the situation. I feel like this is a situation that would benefit from a freeform crop...

[Adam]

Thanks for the advice! I think the crop does need work, and it's something I really was hung up on. There's so much stuff in this alleyway, and I specifically wish I could get a shot with that dumpster gone! Maybe I need to brush up on my PhotoShop skills. I'm sure someone knows how to remove something that big...I don't.

This raises a question for me. I usually crop to a standard size (I like 5x7), but on this shot specifically I tried a custom crop, and it seemed to work better...but I still reverted back to the 5x7 you see here. Is it common for people to use custom crop? I guess it depends on the situation. I feel like this is a situation that would benefit from a freeform crop...

For online viewing I think custom crops are perfectly fine. If printing, then you can always cut a mat to fill the rest of the frame.

The dumpster doesn't bother me, actually, but you should be able to clone it out (with sufficient patience) if you really wanted to.

Adam
PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide | Site Help | My Photography)



PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

[Vicioustuna2012]

For online viewing I think custom crops are perfectly fine. If printing, then you can always cut a mat to fill the rest of the frame.

The dumpster doesn't bother me, actually, but you should be able to clone it out (with sufficient patience) if you really wanted to.

So, I adjusted the crop, and I do think it's better. The mirror is still ever so slightly visible, but I didn't want to sacrifice that much "headroom" I feel like more space above the bridge seems more balanced. I'll probably clone out the mirror completely later when I have time to get it "perfect". What do you think?



I also adjusted the contrast a little.

[Adam]

It's not loading, it seems

[Vicioustuna2012]

It's not loading, it seems

What about now?

[Adam]

What about now?

I think it looks a lot better. Well done!