inverted ... ?

[Wolfgang Plattner]

Hi,

we spent some fine days in Turin (Piemont, Italy) and the Provence some days ago.
A scene under the Arcades of Via Roma of Turin ...

 

[Martin Stephens]

Ok, I like the idea of this photo. I like the place and the environs. But in this exact moment, the most interesting stuff for me begins with the blue suited guy and his dachhound. But he's a bit back in the photo because of the backpack girl who dominates the f/g of the image, and yet isn't interesting. The stuff that is 25 feet in front of here is real interesting. The waiter, the dog, the ladies talking.

 

[Cem_Usakligil]

It is a learning experience reading Martin's comments here. Although I feel the same way regarding the importance of the people around the blue suited man, the things which initially evoked my interest in the picture were the beautifully captured arches, the inverted sign and the wonderful quality of the light. Great job Wolfgang!

The learning bit is about the fact that we may not always agree on what constitutes the main subject of a photo. That's the beauty of asking for c&c, we may discover others' views and enhance ours.

 

[Wolfgang Plattner]

Hi,
thanks for your comments, even if they differ someway .
But as Cem mentions, it is the learning process, when getting response from another one looking at a photo.
I agree with Martin on his point of view, but that is a streetshot, done in a moment and there is just not enough time to arrange the actors ...
I'm pleased to read from you Cem, that you just see the same "qualities" in this photo as I do ...
Have a nice day all of you ...

 

[Maggie Terlecki]

I also really like this photo. For me the first thing I notice is the inverted Martini sign, then the arches and the light spilling in. But after that first impression, my eye continues to the man walking with a swagger, full of confidence and bravado. Does the Daschund really belong to him, or perhaps to the elderly lady at the let who watches the people pass, while she has a coffee and rests her weary feet. I notice the waiter has a table to clear yet he seems absorbed by something outdoors.
I find this image really interesting for its dual layer of viewing and reading. A really good image.

Maggie

 

[Martin Stephens]

Just for discussion purposes-----

This is not a criticism of this photo or this photographer. It's just a comment that fits in a general nature for this kind of situation. Sometimes, hanging out for either many minutes or many exposures, will get the "actors" in an optimum place. Something I have been learning is more patience. When I come to a place with interesting features like this, I walk around to frame up the best shot I can, and then begin shooting that composition with the "actors" moving about. I've taken as many as a dozen exposures to get one that works.

Of course, the photographer's intentions and style may have something very different in mind.

 

[Rob Naylor]

Deleted Post - database error.
See below for duplicate.

I notice that neither of my posts here have appeared in the main forum list ? Strange!

 

[Rob Naylor]

After a few views of this image, here is my "take" on it.
First and foremost Wolfgang has captured a very good light here.
The composition is solid, and IMO the main subject is the MARTINI sign, but instinctively the first thing I look at are the people and what they are doing, here are 3 areas of interest, the seated woman, the suave suited guy and the waiter. The backpacker holds no real interest.
After taking in the "people action", I am then drawn to the architecture, and the repetition of the arches, this sends me deeper into the image, finally I am pulled back by the MARTINI sign and that holds my final attention. I liked the journey through this image.

There is a subtle secondary reinforcing of the title in the Top RH corner of the image with a second inverted sign. This is quite playful, and made me search for more.

I guess that Wolfgang is either a tall man, or he held the camera above his head for this shot, as the focal plane is pointing downwards, this has caused the verticals to converge opposite to the norm (eg. the arch columns appear further apart at the top than bottom) this is a little distracting, but not overly so.

All in all a good image, with lots going on (in a GOOD way) .
Nice one Wolfgang!

 

[Wolfgang Plattner]

Hi,

it's somehow great to get many of the own ideas or thoughts in this "inverted" matter ... thanks

@Rob: I'm quite tall, that's right, but I did some additional keystone-correction inside Capture One software.