Photographer's Comment: He he, I finally faced my demon. Went downtown yesterday to actually do some street shooting and see what resulted. I was walking out of my fav alley when I looked behind me and saw what I though might make a good image. Took a few snaps, then this guy started walking out of the alley and I grinned inside. Thanks for the advice CJ. and for the encouragement a few weeks ago Carlos and both of you and Jan and both Jims for your inspiration. When I think of Street Texture I think the whole ambiance thing, not just what's below our feet, that's what I was going for with this. I've been to this alley several times now and each time I seem to discover new things different eyes different days.

Tags: candid alley street

Viewer Comments:

By smokeydawg (2008-06-04 12:41:04 ): Thanks Bill, glad you like it! Also appreciate you noticing the guy leaning on the car at the other end of the alley, was wondering if anyone would notice him. You're the first! Carl

By smokeydawg (2008-06-04 12:36:46 ): Thanks Audi, I always appreciate your comments! Carl

By smokeydawg (2008-06-04 12:36:13 ): Thanks Steve, appreciate the comment. Glad you like it. Carl

By EnterVortex (2008-06-04 04:12:14 ): Whooaa!! I like this one even more than your other alley shot. Carl, there are like three layers to this image. First there is the "texture world" level. You have concrete, brick, aluminum, steel and cinder blocks - add in the color and wow. Then you add the man walking and put more of a story into the photo.Then there is the dark level two. It is followed by the really cool level 3 = the other side of the alley. It looks like you have another person leaning up against a car in level 3. Attaway Carl!

By audlee (2008-06-04 03:37:08 ): I think you nailed your objective. Definitely have a sense of the mood as presented here. Such wonderful alleys you have. audi.

By smyers11 (2008-06-04 02:53:24 ): very nice carl - your images always make me stop and look!

By smokeydawg (2008-06-03 12:47:40 ): Thanks Jan. I was just enjoying the "scenery" thought it made a good shot by itself, then he appeared in the frame. grin. Carl

By smokeydawg (2008-06-03 12:46:03 ): Thank you Jim, always enjoy your comments! Carl hic

By smokeydawg (2008-06-03 12:44:34 ): Thank you Jerry, all the different textures were my fav part in this. Carl

By Isachsen (2008-06-03 11:02:18 ): Carl, there are so many different images within the frame here - and it all comes together so well. I love it!

By jimdstearns (2008-06-03 05:12:08 ): Hey....!! Great snap...now go out and shoot some kid playing with a ball....to mush scotch....This is a fine shot and you have good eyes...

By grovester (2008-06-03 01:12:22 ): This has for me the richness of a scene from a movie shot by a talented cinematographer. Just great. All textures are a feast for the eye.

By smokeydawg (2008-06-02 21:34:20 ): Thanks Warren, I always appreciate your feedback! I too was pleased at how the shadow areas turned out. Carl

By KF4sign (2008-06-02 20:30:23 ): A great sense of mood here. I love the light-shade transitions and lighting variability over the whole scene. - Warren

By littlepeanut (2008-06-02 15:46:53 ): Thanks Carl. I've never used a filter before (PS or on my camera). I'll have to look into it.

By smokeydawg (2008-06-02 14:07:09 ): Thanks Paget. I did several things to this, ps work consists of a Lucis Art wyeth filter of appx 60, surface blur, curves to boost the darks and some selective masking on each layer. Then I added a hue / sat adj layer and boosted the sat a little bit. Carl

By littlepeanut (2008-06-02 13:21:23 ): Carl, this is just great. I'd love to know a little about your post-processing on this. The colors are rich but muted, and it sets such a mood.

By smokeydawg (2008-06-02 12:58:09 ): Thanks CJ, after seeing your images on Sat, I just decided I was going to go out and do it! The "hole in the wall" you talked about is actually the other end of the alley, it's a covered alley from this point on. Originally there was detail where the black was but when boosting the blacks I liked the drama that was created by loosing the detail there. I did use Lucis on this also, pretty much the same post processing as the Leg image below. Carl

By smokeydawg (2008-06-02 12:52:30 ): Thank you Katia. I was in no danger, this alley looks much more threatening then it really is. I is actuall the back entrance for several stores, I've been here enough that some of the folks that work in these stores actually are starting to know me. This alley is about 100+ years old. I don't think I would visit here after hours however. Carl

By smokeydawg (2008-06-02 12:42:46 ): Thanks you Julie! Carl

By smokeydawg (2008-06-02 12:42:32 ): Thanks Carlos, I agree about including a human or animal element. Carl

By smokeydawg (2008-06-02 12:41:52 ): Thank you for you kind words John! Carl

By karmal (2008-06-02 02:51:14 ): Great street shot. I love the threatening/dangerous mood of the place and the inclusion/placement of the guy in the frame. I always think the inclusion of a human or animal in a composition adds an extra-value (well, in most of the compositions). Carlos

By julies (2008-06-01 21:42:20 ): That's my idea of ''street'!.....well done on every level

By CJGroth (2008-06-01 21:38:23 ): See, Carl, the fact you were there FIRST made all the difference! This is a FAB-U-LOUS shot! Is that a HOLE in a wall in the back? The textures are amazing, did you use that Lucis filter on this also? I actually went to the Lucis Art site a few weeks ago and they aren't selling the filters anymore because I guess they're coming out with something new this fall. Very very nice, balance is perfect, and the tough-guy placed himself in just the right spot for the light to fall on his face. Did he say anything to you? Great job!

By ktapio (2008-06-01 21:29:47 ): Okay first thing came to my mind before reading your foot note was he is alive he posted the result… now ARE YOU CRASY lucky you were not jumped from behind… OH man that is cool image. How is your blood pressuer??? just great image katia

By johnwillems (2008-06-01 19:46:58 ): Carl, I was waiting on these image from You and WOW. It's an other view on "Street Textures", over the whole image! It's also perfect. The capture is wonderful, an amazing colour-palette, lighting, mood, the lonely walking man makes also these image terrific. Congratulations for such a great photograph and for me it's "gold". Friendly from John.

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