Old San Juan

[Phil U.]

These are from Old San Juan. This is the part of the city that exists inside the old city walls. Definitely a Spanish styled city. You may notice that the streets are very narrow - obviously never intended for cars yet they're everywhere. Really cool stuff to be found here.

http://PhilU.smugmug.com/photos/47692383-L.jpg

http://PhilU.smugmug.com/photos/48929731-L.jpg

http://PhilU.smugmug.com/photos/48929761-L.jpg

http://PhilU.smugmug.com/photos/48929771-L.jpg

http://PhilU.smugmug.com/photos/48929791-L.jpg

[USAIR]

Phil good photos like them all #3 is my favorite

Thanks
Fred

[ShannonW]

I read in a post a few days ago that it seems people are getting/giving fluff reviews. So I thought I would give you a review like I would want. I too crave to better my skills as a photographer. So... Here I go....The second and last image are great I like the composition, angle and feel. The other are good but, the first and third have too much going on in the background. You did do a good job making the background work but, I prefer it to be more out of focus or nothing there. Hope this helps and overall it is a nice series.

[DavidTO]

Nice critique, Shannon!

[nburwell]

Your shots bring back memories from when I was there about two years ago. Very nice shots indeed!

The first two images I like very much. However, the fourth image of the man in the background is sort of distracting from the real subject at hand, the man with his head between his legs. I also think that particular photograph would be good in B&W too. To me, that communicates a lot more emotion in the photograph than one that's in color. Maybe that's just my personal preference though.

Otherwise, a very nice job done on all the photographs.

[ShannonW]

Nice critique, Shannon!

Thanks David I think it was your post about giving better critiques. I just hope Phil Likes it. :dunno

[DavidTO]

Thanks David I think it was your post about giving better critiques. I just hope Phil Likes it. :dunno


Shannon, take a look at his signature--you don't have to apologize for being honest.

Yeah, I was talking about critiques--specifically in the Whipping Post. You want to get better at critiquing--that's the place to give it a go!

[Phil U.]

Thanks everyone for the nice words and comments! :thumb

Shannon - No worries! Like David said - that's why I have my sig that way. I'd rather have an honest response than hear "Oh that's great" while they're thinking 'Oh that's crap'. On the first streetlight - I know where you're coming from. I actually took two different angles of that one - the other angle had mostly sky as the BG. During the cull I couldn't choose so I worked them both through post. I still waffled but finally chose this one because I love the colors. On the other streetlight I didn't want to have the BG blured so much that the flag was unrecognizable - I probably could have gone a little farther but didn't do multiple frames with different aperatures. Maybe I'll add a little blur in PS if I'm not to lazy :rofl

Nburwell - I hadn't even thought of B&W on that one. I will give it a shot. May also try to clone out the other people. I hadn't even paid any attention to them. I guess that's one of the problems with looking at your own work. Now that you've pointed it out they're annoying me too.

[KMCC]

Great shots; thanks for sharing them.

I hope the guy in #4 doesn't feel as bad as the shot conveys. :sick

[Phil U.]

Great shots; thanks for sharing them.

I hope the guy in #4 doesn't feel as bad as the shot conveys. :sick

Thanks Kent.

I'm not sure what was going on with that guy. I was sitting on the next bench with my wife when she said, "Why don't you take a shot of him?". I'm pretty self-conscious about people shots so this was a quick grab and put the camera down situation. He was still in that position when we got up a few minutes later to move on. I didn't hear any wretching so hopefully he was just taking a nap. :dunno

[AJatWork]

Wonderfull comps Phil, just love that last one. :thumb

AJ

[eye-max]

#5. This is a cool shot. I really like the contrast between the old timeless Street scene & the modern steel bin c/w graffiti. The tilted image works well here.

#1 & #3 do nothing for me, personally. I have tried a number of these types of shots. Very difficult to make visually interesting.

#2. I’m a big fan of wide angles & perspectives. I’d like to see more punch added in pp to the pastels, but that’s personal taste I think.

#6 A troubled soul is always an excellent photo subject. I agree with you on being “self-conscious about people shots”. I am to and I always regret walking away from a scene because of those feelings, “self-conscious” feelings are replaced by feelings of “regret for missed opportunities”. Still you did capture an interesting scene.

Thanks for sharing & making me think. I agree, honest critiques are the way…..

[Phil U.]

Thanks AJ and Max!

[Phil U.]

Ok - I did a re-edit on the last 2. I like the B&W - Thanks nburwell.

Please tell your browser to refresh if you don't see the B&W.