Somewhere In Time
by itsjava

Comment by graphicfunk:
from the Critique Club:
A very nice picture with a pleasant view and good angle. The b/w gives it that vintage look. The starkness of the street with the greenery above creates a nice feeling.
Of course, this is the picture and what we must work with, but always think how you could have improved this image. For one thing, the figures on the left just don't belong here. A couple with a child would have been great, but under the circumstances, I would have hung around and waited for the propitious time to shoot. Another distacting element: look at the white house that serves as the closer back drop. It is leaning towards the left. This is the key level factor and must be addressed, otherwise it leaves the distracting feeling in the viewer. Simply get the house straight and the rest will take care of itself. Outside of optical imperfections these tilted lines in photographs is due to the camera itself not being level. The hand held camera replaced the old view camera and it places a heavy burden on the photographer: the art of holding it pararell to the ground.
Outside of this and as is, this image is still viable. The exposure factor can be improved by the use of curves. It is not a simple matter to adjust levels and desaturate. I go about it the long way. I convert the image to gray scale and then back to RGB and begin adjusting each individual channel with curves. To use automatic conversion system just don't work and will take with it many important tones. dan

Somewhere In Time
by itsjava

Comment by periwinkle:
3.5/5 for meeting the challenge, 3.5/5 for technique. I like this photo in black and white!

Somewhere In Time
by itsjava

Comment by L1:
Lovely photo. Treatment works well...don't you wish you could get rid of those guys over there???? ;o)

Somewhere In Time
by itsjava

Comment by skylen:
Nice old-fashioned B&W effect. I'd like it better without the dudes on the left with the camera bag and stuff.

Somewhere In Time
by itsjava

Comment by SquirreI:
This would have looked much better without the pedestrians in it. Other than that, very good.

Somewhere In Time
by itsjava

Comment by Beagleboy:
Should have waited for the three guys walking to be out of the frame.

Somewhere In Time
by itsjava

Comment by sailracer_98:
I think this shot has a lot of potential- the framing, focus and subject matter are all good. The lighting is the main area that can be improved. The light looks very flat and harsh washing out a lot of the contrast- it is hard to tell where the grass ends and trees begin. For this reason, I think the conversion to B&W may not have been an improvement. (The old-time feel doesn't work with all of the people wearing modern clothes anyway...) Alternatively, some curves adjustments in software might be able to enhance the contrasts some to add some more "life" to the shot.

Somewhere In Time
by itsjava

Comment by jafd70:
The waiting driver is lost in the expanse of the image.

Somewhere In Time
by itsjava

Comment by PhilipDyer:
This is a really nice shot for this challenge. I think it might be better with a bit more contrast, but it's a great photo as it is. Good job!

Somewhere In Time
by itsjava

Comment by bongo:
Overexposed.