The Rocks - Street Photography B&W

[ozczecho]

Hi all,

Went for a walk in and around The Rocks, Sydney last weekend and took some B&W shots.

Any comment / critique (good or bad) is welcome and appreciated...

Cheers

Mike

#1.


#2.


#3.


#4.



More at gallery

[NJ]

im not quite sure what it is about it, but i really like the first shot. i mean i like all of them, but the first one stands out to me. #2 is my second favourite.
b&w treatment is spot on too.

[admajic]

I like them too. I think no. 1 is great because of the balance ie. the black hat vs the white paper in the in bottom corner. Balances the pic.

[byrt_001]

hi

i also like number 1 becuase her face is a bit block by her hat, it adds some mistery, also becuase she just started the paint....want to see the finish result. as much i do not like the black pole it helps to guide your eyes to her hand and her paint.

thanks for sharing, nice one

christian

[ozczecho]

Thanks for that everyone.

I was also unsure about the black pole but am glad that in your opionion doesn't blow the picture. I approached her as she was setting up and sked if I could take a few pictures. She is basically sitting on the edge of the pier...

#2 was taken down the road from the Lord Nelson (grr cant remember the name of the pub), again approached the local had a yarn and then snapped a few..he was quite a character...

Mike

[ABG]

Nice series Mike. I especially like the the first two.

Looks like that PS workshop is paying off for you Lovely conversions. Did you use Matt's LAB technique?

[gstark]

Mike,

Those first two are great.

The issue with the black pole, for me, is that it shows me that the image is not straight.

[ozczecho]

Andrew, thanks mate. I used 1/2 of Matt B&W conversion tech. (ie converted to LAB mode), then I used curves. These were post processed before our PP meet. I used Matts technique this weekend, and putting 2 pics side by side my wife thinks the B&W came out better using Matts technique all the way

Gary, interesting point . I framed the image around her body (her back) as well as her canvas. As we can see from the image she doesnt paint with her back at 90 degrees So you think I should have straightened the image?...

[gstark]

So you think I should have straightened the image?...

We rarely sit or stand straight, and yes, that is often how we'll compose our images - relative to the primary subject, rather than with reference to the environment.

It would certainly be interesting to see what that sort of correction does to the image.

[sirhc55]

Mike - 1 thru 3 are great street candids and #4 is not to my taste but does have a touch of Billington to it which makes it interesting

[ozczecho]

Thanks Chris..appreciate it <mental note>lookup Billington </mental note>

It would certainly be interesting to see what that sort of correction does to the image.

...hmmm a straight pole and a tighter crop makes a helluva difference in my opinion. Thanks..

[wendellt]

i like the 1st and 2nd one tone, subject and angle of view all excellent

[embi]

Number 2 is by far the best. It tells a story.

I like the environmental inclusions.

[gstark]

Mike,

Much better, and you've got great detail in that the texture of the fabric of the subject's hat is being well rendered too.

Now ... (yes, I'm being picky, so get over it! ) can you coax a bit of shadow detail into the area withn her left wrist - the cuff of her jacket - and around her right shoulder and neck?