London
by figaro

Comment by krnodil:
It's got that nice slice of life feel to it. B&W is good, as is the framing with the arch.

London
by figaro

Comment by Donna21:
I gave this an 8 (same score I gave the blue ribboner). I love the framing, and the light outlining several people (especially camera-girl). I think the blurred man in front helps add a sense of motion - this crowd is moving not just standing waiting for something (although a few are taking a rest, lol).

And there is a wide range of several things -

Light - from full sun in the background to partially lit/backlit to full shade (and yet it all clear and defined),

Motion - from the moving crowd to the breifly stopped camera girl to the more stationary sitters, and

Mood - blurry guy seems in a hurry or distracted, the woman and baby are just trying to get through the day, and camera girl is happy and exctied to be visiting the city.

London
by figaro

Comment by glad2badad:
B/W was certainly the way to go with this and you have a nice tonal range overall. The strong side lighting makes this photo work. You couldn't have pulled this off a couple hours later. This lighting provides some detail in the shadows and nice highlighting. Did you notice the camera ladies shadow is interrupted by the floor drain? :-)

The archway helps contain this in a natural frame; even the sign post in the background helps, in that it directs the viewer to the double-decker bus in the background. That in itself identifies the place for most viewers, giving this some additional context.

Busy, busy, busy...hustle & bustle, with so many people milling about. The foreground man moving into the image adds a sense of urgency. Yet, the gal with the camera says this is some place special and time stands still for a few in the moment.

Nicely seen and captured. Good story telling! :)

ETA - I just noticed that this shot only had 2 comments during the challenge period. Guess there was too much to take in during the short look each photo is given during the voting stage.

I usually don't read other comments prior to making mine. Don't like to be unduly influenced. :)

Message edited by author 2008-02-08 11:23:57.

London
by figaro

Comment by Kelli:
I also found the guy on the right, coming into the frame distracting. I love the focus on the girl though, and how her smile comes through with the chaos of the city all around her.

London
by figaro

Comment by karmat:
I gave it a seven. :) I really liked how you captured the "busy-ness" of the scene, but how the one girl is isolated. Also, this is a really smooth, nicely done bw capture. To improve it? I dunno, honestly. Perhaps a slightly wider crop on the left and less on the right. That might help to reduce the distraction the guy walking into the frame causes.

London
by figaro

Comment by cpanaioti:
I gave your shot a 7. I like how you isolated the person with the camera. The OOF person in the foreground works really well at guiding you into the image.

London
by figaro

Comment by ingridblue:
I think this is great! The lighting is perfect, enabling you to see every little bit of action in the frame... the character and personalities shine through! I really love the composition, it just draws your eye in then lets it roam around. Great black and white conversion too!

London
by figaro

Comment by salmiakki:
I was surprised this didn't score higher. I gave it a 6. Would probably have give a higher score, but the arm and handbag/backpack of the person on the left of the shot distracted me a bit.

London
by figaro

Comment by Retroesque:
Just beautiful location and your B&W conversion is PERFECT.

For me the only disappointment is the girl looking at her camera. Without her the image could have been taken at any time anywhere almost - it looks SO classic.

Love the person dragging their luggage and the woman holding the baby seated is WONDERFUL!

London
by figaro

Comment by Yo_Spiff:
Nice framing and good contrasy b/w.