Ancient Pitigliano, Toscana by night

[robshaw53]

Had to stand in the middle of the street for this one- wasn't too crowded fortunately- wonderful place with little flea markets, small shops and great food! Trying to catch the atmosphere of the place, White balance set on automatic.........

[Lou R]

I'm not sure if cars and garbage bins capture the atmosphere you were hoping for. Sorry, but this could be anywhere and doesn't make me wish I could be there.
When there are markets, shops, etc., you WANT to have people and action to give the viewer a feeling of being in the middle of something exciting. There is no hint of any of those things here.

[Gems]

I get what Lou is saying, but I like this shot. It might not show a lot, but I like the warm glow of the lights, and I imagine that the couple on the left is going for an evening stroll after their meal, before heading back to their hotel.

[30D]

I see Lou's point also, but I also like the shot, I think, after studying the scene a bit, I would have moved up the street maybe to the tree in the background. I know the composition would change a good bit but it would eliminate the garbage bins, and I think you would have still gotten the couple. All that said, it's a beautiful shot.

[gjtoth]

Although I like the lighting and the general scene, my eyes keep going over to those dumpsters.

[ohenry]

I'm in agreement with the first comment. This image just doesn't move me as a viewer. It just feels like a snapshot memory.

[Kot]

I'm in total agreement with Lou and ohenry about the garbage bins.The cars don't bug me that much (however, it would be a better image if they weren't there, of if more people were there instead the cars).

[robshaw53]

Thank you all- for very good comments!! Now I'm looking at it a bit differently! Yes the dumpsters do stand out although I didn't notice them so much at the time.) Good point about moving up the street a little toward the tree.... I was trying to include the wine shop on the right, include a car coming down the street (it's a bit empty on the left, so need a focus point). Have to observe the entire scene more..... also a balancing act between slow shutter speed and low ISO (and too much camera + subject motion) versus faster shutter speed, probably shallow DOF and a lot of grain. Decided to go for the first. Still the couple on the left comes through. Thanks !

[Frank B]

Here's a thought - crop it more or less square by chopping off everything to the left of the man's left arm. There is just enough room there between his left side and the edge of that last bin. That would give you the couple sort of walking into the frame, and you still get all of the archway. You could also probably chop a bit off the bottom.

I really like the colors and the exposure, by the way.

[robshaw53]

Originally Posted by Frank B

Here's a thought - crop it more or less square by chopping off everything to the left of the man's left arm. There is just enough room there between his left side and the edge of that last bin. That would give you the couple sort of walking into the frame, and you still get all of the archway. You could also probably chop a bit off the bottom.

I really like the colors and the exposure, by the way.

Thank you!! That's an idea!!! Here's the result: