Some street pictures from Rome

[texxter]

Michael, the book is "Spirit of Place" by Bob Krist, available here:

http://www.amazon.com/Spirit-Place-A...pr_product_top

I just picked it up from my public library, it's not a recent book, doesn't talk about digital photography and it's not deep about technical stuff. But it was written by a professional travel photographers and it has a few good ideas. And some really wonderful shots. Here are the main things that stayed with me:

One is the idea that the spirit of the place has to shine thru the images. It can't be so subjective and “personal” that others see the photographer and not the place itself. The photographer’s vision is the channel that root the images on “the thing itself”

The distinction between being a “traveler” and a “sightseer” - the traveler seeks engagements with the local people and picture, while the sightseer just clicks off sights in the guidebook. A sightseer “steals” pictures from the distance while the traveler gets close and personal and the resulting pictures are more intimate.

Clutter spoils more pictures than any other compositional flaw. Bob talks about keeping it simple, thinking of the frame as containing only what’s essential to tell the story or create a feeling - remove everything else until removing more hurts the image. This cannot be done out of conscious decision-making processes, it has to be done out of intuition built on experience. So the only way to get there is the old, hard way, by doing it over, and over and over, until it’s built into the photographer’s intuitive intelligence.

texxter added 5 Minutes and 28 Seconds later...Double Post Merged Below

I will also recommend wide angle prime lenses for travel photography. I carried my Nikon D700, an old 20mm f/2.8 AF and another old 35mm f/2 prime. I had my 85mm f/1.4 in a Thinktank holster, and used it a little, but most images came from the 20mm. The camera felt small and light with the prime, and I carried it in my hand or a tiny Domke F5 bag. No bright Nikon yellow neck strap either! And no tripod or big camera bag. It was not as imposing as it would have been with a modern fast zoom, and it forced me to think before shooting, as I could not zoom my way in or out of what was in front of me. As a portrait photographer I normally use 70mm+ lenses, and using a 20mm on a full size digital sensor forced me to photographh differently.

Just another thought.

[MicWayWal]

The comments or things that stayed with you sound like they will work in any photographic situation. I think we are lazy most of the time and don't want to work on producing truly great images.

MicWayWal added 98 Minutes and 14 Seconds later...Double Post Merged Below

Paco,

Just took the time to view all the images you posted. OK, you did some of the touristy pics. I would have too. But I really liked the images that bring the flavor of Italy. I felt like I have been there now. Good good work.

[sauzet]

Very nice shots! Rome is so beautiful! I love the atmosphere of your pictures