I love film grain. I agree with the above, though, cloning out the fuzz and blemishes. The horizon, if it isn't meant to be crooked, would enhance the image if it was straight.I would like to see some of the shadows in the middle lightened a hair, just so the image doesn't seem overall so dark.

I LOVE the b&w!!!

I saw your other images. You have a great eye! Please update your info and keep posting!!!

Great picture. The candid reaction of the girl is perfect. If you could go back you might consider:

• The girl needs 1/2 more step to place her in a white area
• Change the angle so that the trash can is not a focal point

If you have the software, clean up the dust.

hey thank you all so much for the feedback. i just thought i'd explain the trash can because a lot of people seem to have qualms with that aspect of the picture. personally, i feel it is a crucial part of the photo, and i framed my shot purposefully so. first of all, on a purely technical basis, i love the way it bisects the dark boards in the center, and the way it itself is bisected, light and dark. i used the trash can, however, symbolically, as it says something about coney island, a truly american area that has fallen into antiquity, become a zone for trash and refuse, the flotsam and jetsam of brooklyn tides. i wanted, in a way, to glorify the trash, to evoke the garbage idolatry i feel every time i visit.

OK raphshap, here's my two penneth. Watever your interpretation or intentions are when you take an image, you can be sure it will be interpreted a 100 different other ways than you ever thought of. There are certain "rules" in photography that will lead people to immediately discount your image if it is not quite obviously out of the top drawer, or your name is Henri Cartier-Bresson (then people question their own judgement instead). I like your explanation, but ideally a photograph should not need your definition, it should stand by itself. So basically, I'd adjust the horizon, remove the hair and let it stand. Good job!

yes i know, and thank you. i certainly have taken all of the criticism into account, i think it is all true and reasonable. i just wanted to voice what it meant to me since i am afforded that luxury in this forum :)

It has a very sad atmosphere for me. It is like "those days are gone" - maybe since the kids have their playstation today ... But I think you captured that sad story very well, so I still see it as a winner.

bastian: thanks, this is actually just a scan of a print i developed myself

blumie: it's interesting that you say that, because i'm only just 17 myself, so i guess it's cool i was able to fine such a...mature view point

Let me tell you - as a 36 year old - sometimes you are with 17 years more adult than others. No matter what happens, thats fine as long as you do not forget how important it is to be childish!

Very nice. This photo invokes emotion.

You are developing a style. You have a good eye. Keep it up! Keep shooting/developing/printing.

You should try and clean things up a bit with regard to your developing/film drying technique. The hair/threads and other blemishes have to go. Otherwise, these prints are good. Don't despair. It just takes practice. You may enjoy the following forums where you will find tips from others who develop their own B&W film:

www.rangefinderforum.com

and

www.apug.org

Whatever feedback you may receive, don't fret about technical criticism from people who have never touched or looked through a B&W negative.

Nice picture. And nice work. You might want to try dodging the center of the sign ever so lightly but other than a bit of cleaning I wouldn't chage anything else.

taken in italy on a disposable camera

nice reflections ;)

I know these devices are basically Chinese calculators, right? But to this Virginia hillbilly, this doesn't really say numbers, but...
The photo is a little flat in the tonal range. The highlights on the right are nice, but the majority of the image is flat. You might try working in photoshop a little with levels. This might also be a nice one to try in B&W and punch the contrast there.

Thanks for the advice. I did adjust the levels. I played with the curves a bit, too, and just did not like it! I wish I knew how to get that blue to pop out of the image without sacrificing the rest of the photo. I'll play some more and repost.

i like the black and white idea...

One thing I do a lot is to duplicate the image, make the top layer "Soft light" and play with the opacity, then underneath play with adjustment layers for levels, curves, etc. I almost always use adjustment layers instead of directly applying the levels, saturation, etc. It allows you to see the interaction of multiple color correctors without committing to any one of them.

Hope some of this helps...

THanks, Beamer! I'm going to have to try that!

Thanks... Actually, the flowers & plants are the original color (maybe a tiny bit enhanced). The contrast is because I made the upper part of the image black & white to make the contrast even greater and to make the flowers "pop." I wasn't sure how successful this was - so I'll take that as one "no" vote. :)

To me, the combination color/monochrome doesn't work in this image. The sweeper is an important part of the story but becomes a shadowey figure. I think this image would be much more effective as a color image...or even a monochrome image, but the combination is confusing to the eye...(my eyes, anyway ;-) )

Thanks! That's helpful. hmmm.... I'm still getting to know the site. Can I upload the full color version to get a comparison, or is that not allowed? Maybe I'll upload it and see what happens.

when i scrolled down, my screen stopped at the bottom edge of that front table, leaving out the flowers at the bottom...made for a very nice effect with only the one flower in view--perhaps try cropping out some of the bottom? for this theme anyway--not sure if that would work for anything else

i like the picture a lot. i would crop out the...fire alarm, i guess it is? those lights above the door frame of the sweeper

i love this, it's one of my favorite signs for sure. i would crop out the bottom so there isn't that one little piece of the wider post underneath. but really nice shot.

taken in italy on a disposable camera

taken in italy on a disposable camera

taken in italy on a disposable camera

taken in italy on a disposable camera