More of my couple of days in London

[Kaye Leggett]

This is the second part of my posting and the second photographic aim - some street shots. Taken at lunchtime in Smithfield Market (and it was a great lunch)








C&C welcomed

[ionian]

I love the second picture Kaye - that's a really strong image.

I like the first but I wish the foreground was in focus; I just feel this isn't as strong in composition, although it's been converted well.

[Geoff F]

I love the second picture Kaye - that's a really strong image.

I like the first but I wish the foreground was in focus; I just feel this isn't as strong in composition, although it's been converted well.

Exactly my thoughts. Possibly with the first image crop tighter so the out of focus foreground becomes more like a border (not whole people visible) which will then concentrate more on some interesting subjects in the middle distance area?

[Shadowman]

Nice set.

[Kaye Leggett]

Thanks for the comments. I will have a look at a different crop - however I was experimenting with an out of focus foreground to lead the eye into the centre of the image, but maybe not achieved it this time.

[IzzieK]

I like #1 Kaye -- to me it is an environment shot, something to show where you were. The second shot is a strong preference because it is a strong image. Excellent job.

[Mike Buckley]

The second one shows the subject's intense concentration and the steam is a nice touch. I don't know what the subject is in the first one.

As for the foreground in the first one, keep in mind that it's far more difficult to effectively use blurred foreground than blurred background. I assume that explains why it's relatively rarely done.

[ionian]

Thanks for the comments. I will have a look at a different crop - however I was experimenting with an out of focus foreground to lead the eye into the centre of the image, but maybe not achieved it this time.

I think this may have been more successful had you used a shallow depth of field across he board - because the background is quite sharp, the foreground jars a little.I hope you don't mind, but I had a very (VERY) quick play in photoshop with the crop that Geoff mentioned and blurring the background (I've overdone it here, but it's just to show the concept). If you prefer others not to play with your images, let me know and I'll take it down.

[Kaye Leggett]

Continued thanks for comments and advice. Simon - I like your crop and treatment and gives me more to think about and experiment again. Yes, Mike - you're right, blurred foreground is more difficult and isn't done often and I suppose 'breaks the rules' but I have seen some acclaimed pictures which seem to work and wanted to give it a go. But as you say it needs a strong subject which Simon has helped with in his version.

So more learning and food for thought achieved - I'd call that a success.

[Mike Buckley]

I actually don't think using a blurred foreground breaks the rules, Kaye. It's just that using one is more difficult to bring off successfully. Perhaps more important, there are far fewer situations when the blurred foreground can be successful, whereas there are so many situations when a blurred background can be successful.

So more learning and food for thought achieved - I'd call that a success.

Definitely a success!