my first post here; rome

[beezer628]

i have been browsing on these forums for a little while now, but i was not confident enough to post much, i recently went to Rome, here are few pics. First one is a bike in trastevere, the other is a guard at a church, taken on a 300d. I enjoy constructive criticism. thanks

[Gamut]

The composition on the first one is best, but the contrast levels are a bit flat. Pump it up and I think you have a winner! The other is interesting, but something's a little odd about it. Is that scaffolding in the background?

[kevindar]

I agree with seesponge on the first one. You actually need to increase the exposure a little.
the second one, you cutting the top off bothers me. the pattern of the arcs in nice and the placement of the man and the nun is ok, but I just cant figure out what the image is about.

[Jay_Williams]

Agree with the posts on the first shot. Like it. Wow, love to hear the story behind that front bike tire:lol:

[BottomBracket]

Excellent first post here! I do agree that #1 could use a little ooomph, once you bump up the contrast it may look better. Good composition and it is of a subject matter that I love (bikes). The second one has much better tonal range and great composition, but like the others it seems a bit off. It came to me while looking at the pic for several minutes - I think this photo will benefit if there is only one person in it. Try cloning out either one of them, make two photos, one with the nun, one with the man. I think the dramatic tension will increase. Welcome to the forums!

[Gidi Morris]

Here you go buddy, so you can see what a difference it can make :)

I hope you don't mind my editing your photo, I saw you set Image Editing OK.

All I did was - Levels & Contrast.

[Gidi Morris]

Oh, I also added a slight vignette because I felt it added some character - but that is very much a matter of personal taste ;)

[beezer628]

thanks a lot for the input, the story behind the first picture is funny because that bike is locked up to the sign post, has no seat and the front tire is completely bent out of shape; the streets are so narrow over there that the bike was probably hit by a car or something and the owner just left it there, pretty funny if you ask me.