Street Photography (B&W) looking for honest feedback.

Hey, nice work. I think you have a good understanding of what makes a strong street shot. You're wide, you have interest points in each one, and there is some moment that makes you want to appreciate the photo again. There are contrasts between people and things, juxtapositions, and reflections. The only one that stands out from these as not fitting in is the stairs.

Something about the processing isn't sitting well with me though. They seem to be very grey but then the top few are blown out in the whites as well. How are you doing your black and white conversions?

I think #3 is the best of the lot. What is your process for going B&W or is it a filter? Something is off, just can't put my finger on it.

Hi Hoff, thanks for the comment my weak point is PP, no question. I use lightroom and play around with the settings. I'm waiting for an oppurtunity to take some courses. Then again I'm also guilty of trying to not look like others, so if I add a tint of blue or make something darker or blowout a background, I actually like to do it on purpose at times....I don't know why I'm funny that way lol.

Yea I thought as I looked at this again that it feels like you're hitting the b/w presets in Lightroom. They only work well with certain images that aren't imbalanced toward either end of the histogram. Instead try converting to grayscale on the right side at the top of Develop (color treatment) and then use the grayscale color mixer, curves, and the curve sliders instead of the presets.

Ok Alex thanks for your help, I'll give that a go.

much appreciated

I Love that last one!

Well I have to take back what I said about the blown out first two; now that I'm on a proper monitor they look much closer. #2 is still a tad bright and might benefit from some recovery. And the last one is too muddy but I know what you're going for with the grey-ness.

I don't mind the lack of contrast on the last one, for some reason, and I am anal about contrast Maybe a different process to make it less grey?

i really like the rail and steps one

Very good pics, I love the third and last ones, very good compositions.
Next time get closer; that is always a way to make street photos more interesting.

Luigi

#1 - The mannequin in the shop window on the right are distracting, perhaps cropping them out or cropping it as a vertical.
#2 - Just wish it had a deeper DOF to include the spectators.
#3 - Crop out the bricks at the top.
#4 - love it
#5 - The car is totally distracting to me. Would be an excellent shot 2-3 seconds after the pic was taken.

Hoff was right though, your subjects are interesting and that's the important part.

i think you have a really good eye for what is interesting. i like the baggy suit on the last one

Ok I'm posting a new set of shots in part two with different technique for PP to get your opinion. biumping this one so people can see the difference

I'd say good stuff. I really like #3 & #5...