Paris in the rain: I was sitting in a small café near the Arc de Triomphe sheltering from the rain when I spotted the couple trying to cross the road through rush-hour traffic. Taken...

rafikiphoto Loc: Spain

I was sitting in a small café near the Arc de Triomphe sheltering from the rain when I spotted the couple trying to cross the road through rush-hour traffic.

Taken with my Leica M Monochrom and a Summicron 50mm f/2

Please download to view.

(Download)

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

My first impulse is to crop the top and the right side. I know that's not what you had in mind, so I'll resist - lol. I like the choice of b&w very much, and the sense of the place and moment. Did you take any with less awning/shade/sign and more foreground chairs and table?

Since I'm having problems with the composition, I'd very much appreciate your discussing your own viewpoint and process of shooting this, especially if you had only seconds to shoot. Thank you Brian!

rafikiphoto Loc: Spain

Hi Linda. Thank you very much for your comments. I'm going to pull up the original DNG file to have another look. I recall I did have a bit to play with at the bottom edge but my feeling was that the chairs peeking up from the bottom just gave the hint that I was in a café and was enough. I wanted the cars at left and right to frame the couple. If I cropped the right it would also lose that avenue and the perspective of the typical Parisian building. I could have reduced the awning but the crop would have had the effects noted above and I felt happy with the dark texture adding to the thunderstorm effect of the scene.

Once I have located the file, probably later today, I will put it here so we can knock it about a bit.

rafikiphoto Loc: Spain

Here is the full frame (it was 28mm not 50mm that I guessed) followed by my interpretation of your suggested crop Linda. I like it! Would you crop it differently?

Please download to view.

Full frame image
Full frame image...

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My interpretation of Linda's suggested crop

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Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

What a visual feast of stories within your original frame, Brian! I see now why you cropped as you did, but I sure do like the umbrella on the left, the tables and even the customer on the right side. With the curtain/awning taking less of the frame (and perhaps if lightened a bit), I think the original is wonderful. But I also really like the crop you did, so I guess we need a series

Thanks!

rafikiphoto Loc: Spain

I could certainly put a layer mask on the customer to the right and bring up some detail. It's a pity about the lone shoulder to the left. If we want the umbrella, that shoulder will be evident. The scene is probably too complicated to 'heal' it out. Worth a try though.

Frank2013 Loc: San Antonio, TX. & Milwaukee, WI.

Just another take since you mentioned the couple as a reason for tripping the shutter......I also like the original but it leaves the subject you speak of a bit lost...

(Download)

rafikiphoto Loc: Spain

Yes, it certainly emphasises the couple - and the rain. The one thing I think it loses is the 'desperation', for want of a better word, of the couple caught in a downpour with only a small umbrella trying to cross a busy road in the rush hour.

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

Two thoughts--I prefer your first crop and your last one. Adding more of the tables and chairs seems extraneous to me. The hint that they are there is a nice touch, but more isn't necessary for me. Keep the emphasis on the couple. For a street shot, I prefer the last one.

Nice work, by the way, whatever crop you might use. And the black and white suits the scene well.

NJFrank Loc: New Jersey

rafikiphoto wrote:

Here is the full frame (it was 28mm not 50mm that I guessed) followed by my interpretation of your suggested crop Linda. I like it! Would you crop it differently?

Please download to view.

I did like your original post but this crop (Linda's suggestion) for me works better. I think shooting through the glass with the rain drops adds to the overall atmosphere. Nicely done.

Dave Chinn

rafikiphoto wrote:

I was sitting in a small café near the Arc de Triomphe sheltering from the rain when I spotted the couple trying to cross the road through rush-hour traffic.

Taken with my Leica M Monochrom and a Summicron 50mm f/2

Please download to view.

I concur with what most have said. However, I do believe your last posted image is the one I would use. It focuses more on the couple and still shows the small café environment. To me its a much more pleasing image that gets the point across. Well done, IMO !!!
Dave

rafikiphoto Loc: Spain

Thanks for all your comments. I apologise for my silence. I want to comment but I have an issue I need to attend to. Back soon I hope.

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

rafikiphoto wrote:

I was sitting in a small café near the Arc de Triomphe sheltering from the rain when I spotted the couple trying to cross the road through rush-hour traffic.

Taken with my Leica M Monochrom and a Summicron 50mm f/2

Please download to view.

I think this is a marvelous street photo and I think black and white works perfectly. The architecture is wonderful and the perspective from inside the cafe with the tables visible is creative and imaginative.
Erich