Theme - Light and Dark

[Cheryl Slechta]

Hi, folks, I'm back from Italy and just started going through my images. I thought this one would work for the theme. When I arrived in Venice they were having an Acqua Alta event (the water overflows the canals). Venetians are quite used to it - everyone just gets out rubber boots and wades right in. I even saw several different couples seated at a canal side outdoor cafe with water halfway up to their knees eating their lunch. I was walking by, saw this man by the canal, and loved the contrast of light and dark without thinking that there would be a theme waiting for it when I got home Converted to black and white in LR and basic adjustments. I might be persuaded to crop a little from the bottom but I liked the centered look and the light on the cobblestones leading through the passageway. I took my new Olympus micro 4/3 E-M5 Mark II - it was wonderful being able to walk around all day without aching somewhere!

[Dennis Bishop]

I like it and wouldn't crop a thing. Maybe lighten the near-blacks just a little to add a bit more detail to the shadows, but it looks really good just the way it is. The light on the floor is wonderful, and the lines in the floor, ceiling and right wall all point to the figure. Very nicely done.

It's good to have you back.

[Diane Miller]

Beautiful find and well-handled tonalities! I could see a little off the top.

[Nancy Bell]

Glad to have you back and looking forward to lots of images from your trip! I especially like that the silhouette of the man is without detail against the details seen in the light in the canal and buildings behind him. How thoughtful of him to be facing left towards the lit bridge. Great leading lines in the semi-darkness leading back to the man with a few highlights to add texture. So interesting that folks continue to eat in the outdoor cafes in high rubber boots! I hope you have a picture of that.

[Kerry Perkins]

That's a really sweet image, love the contrast and the play of light around the scene. Wetting down pavement is a Hollywood trick that works well for you here too. The man looking up toward the stairway directs the viewer's eye that way, then curiosity leads it back down the stairs and out into the courtyard. I like this!

[gary ellwein]

This is a lovely image which certainly fits the theme. I agree with Nancy relative to slightly opening up the fg shadows in the ceiling to better reveal the leading lines. The light nicely leads one in and out of the image.

[Anita Bower]

I agree with the comments above. Excellent image. Wonderful dark and light, square and rounded, down and up, architecture and person. Lovely wet floor with texture. I wonder if there is any detail in the top third that could be brought out a bit to relieve the completely black area.