Walking around Vienna streets, I saw this small shop at the end of a dark alley; the warm light emanating from the shop, among the dark coldness of the other buildings, immediately caught my attention. However, when I got back home and examined the image at the computer monitor, I was greatly disappointed, as most of the effect was gone... some post-processing later, I think I managed to recover what may eyes saw.

I quite like the composition and the overall treatment of the the fore/mid-ground elements (muted colours/soft look). But I think you have overdone it with the brightness/sharpness of your main point of interest (the lighted shop) in comparison to the rest of the scene. It looks almost pasted onto the scene. My suggestion is to reduce the intensity of those adjustments, and probably on the order of 50% rather than 10%, or add some of those same adjustments to the shop area and see if that makes all elements of the scene appear to be more connected.

Andrew

I'm not sure how you did it ... and equally unsure if anyone thinks this one works ... but ...

... I used a quick mask, circular gradient and a lens blur filter to achieve this effect ... I think the bokeh looks 'ok' and the transition to in-focus area sorta realistic ...

I agree with Andrew about toning down the brightness/contrast, but I'd also tone down the softness somewhat unless you're trying to make it look like a dream, walking through some fuzzy darkness until you arrive at your goal.

Mike.

Edu, What Andres and Mike said. It's a fine shot but the softness of the street leading up to the focal point loses it for me.

Jeremy, That's a great shot. I especially like the way you framed it -- hanging on to the whole mound and placing the pitcher at the right side of the frame. Theory would place the pitcher at the left since he's facing right, but this treatment just feels right.

Cannot say I disagree with your comments... yes, the transition is too sharp, and the shop looks out of place. I have redone the post-processing: following your advice, the effect is now less accentuated, and the transition softer. What do you think now? Thanks.

Nice composition, but the processing makes it look like a macro shot of a miniature model.

Ed

Edu, The problem to me is still the soft walls. Maybe you didn't have enough depth of field when you made the shot, though the softness looks like blurring in Photoshop. A shot like this one has to be sharp all the way through.

Edu, I know what you're trying to do with this one, and frankly, it's next to impossible to do convincingly in Photoshop. You really do need to use a tilt-shift lens or a view camera. Sometimes it can be done convincingly with a Lensbaby. But I have to agree with Russ. It would be a better shot without the "artificial" softening of the walls. Beyond the softening though, I like the shot.

I see...

I have removed all post-processing blur, just left some darkening and desaturation; what do you think now?
Many thanks for your help.

Edu, Much better. Street photography isn't always about people and this is a fine street shot.

I agree with Russ 100 percent. Much better. It's a great shot as-is.

ditto - and it still manages to capture in my opinion what you originally felt about the scene.

Andrew

Third try is great. And worth all the effort.

Eric

I second that sentiment. It looks great, like a painting.

JMR

Many thanks to all of you, both for your great help to improve this photograph, and for your positive comments; thank you.

On a side note: this is the second photo I post on this forum, and the second one that gets better with the help of the people around here; I will definitely post more!