Vicolo della Tartuca, Siena, a photo from Siena, Tuscany

Photographer's Note

Vicolo della Tartuca is a medieval blind alley in the Contrada della Tartuca, one of the oldest areas of Siena, Tuscany.

I'd already taken the shot when I noticed the old man obligingly walking towards me, so I rattled off another in order to give the lovely street a sense of being lived in. I loved Siena in October: few tourists off the main drags, and a real sense that the place was alive and not just a tourist museum (though there's enough of that if you want it).

dta, SnapRJW, Kofman, delpeoples, tyro, macjake ha puntuado esta nota como útil.

Critiques | Translate

dta (51280) 2012-05-15 2:31

Hello Will ,
I suppose that you were very happy when you've seen the old man coming towards you . He is the real bonus of these excellent composition , where each elemnt is at the right place .
A charming little street ,.
Regards

SnapRJW (18642) 2012-05-15 2:45

Hello Will - This appeals enormously, a simple street scene but packed with DL detail. The smartly dressed gentleman is certainly a bonus here and he's well placed within the frame. Lovely subdued colours and soft light. Warm regards Rosemary

trevormoffiet (925) 2012-05-15 3:22

Hi Will,
This is a well composed, classic shot that exudes atmosphere. It certainly conveys the lived-in feeling that you intended. It would not be the same without the old man.
Regards
Trevor

orang_terbuang (148) 2012-05-15 3:30

Great picture and perfectly composed!
Regards,
Mayflower

smarcell (19875) 2012-05-15 5:43

The old man is just perfect among these old buildings.
You have also well balanced the lights and shadows withound creating any fake effect.
Regards
Stefano

annjackman (13171) 2012-05-15 9:10

Hello Will,
Well done with not a tourist in site and an image full of atmosphere. The man with his walking stick and the washing hanging out to dry all give us a glimpse of life here. Very nice natural colours - a super picture.
Kind Regards, Ann

delpeoples (44888) 2012-05-16 2:42

Hi dear Will

The sweet old signor makes the shot. Of course even without him it would be a lovely photo, with the characteristic architecture and colours that make it unmistakably Italy. But catching him as he passes through the arch impeccably dressed in his suit and cap is just wonderful. Thanks for sharing this photo which is good enough for any book on Italy.

Warm regards
Lisa

tyro (13009) 2012-05-16 9:31

Hello Will,

Yes, I agree that the inclusion of this man walking slowly toward you has added a lot to the picture - human interest, a sense that the place is alive, and also a sense of size and proportion.

The composition is excellent, everything appearing to fit pleasingly into the frame and the man also framed nicely by the archway. Lovely true colours, fine lighting, perfect exposure and excellent detail and sharpness.

Lovely!

Kind Regards,

John.

cdmonson (4301) 2012-05-16 15:45

Hi Will:

This is the kind of thing one longs to see when visiting a heavily touristed place like Italy, but because of everyone else around it's so rare. This is precisely what I think of when I think of Italy. Wonderful shot, particularly with that old man. My only complaint is that the sky looks a bit overprocessed. Everything else is fantastic.

Clark

macjake (39207) 2012-05-23 10:19

Hi Will
an interesting scene.
As I look it over composition wise, i can't help but enjoy it even more when i scroll down the frame until its just the old man with the arch over his head - removing the sky and the upper portions of the buildings.
but still, lots of charm lots of history.
wonderful scene.
cheers
craig

magalik (6095) 2012-06-03 13:07

Hi Will,

Don't think I put this one in my favorites because you put one of my shots in your favorites too. I love Siena, it's really one of my favorites italian cities and this kind of compositions (typical street with an inhabitant) (and top quality of course ;)) is really in my tastes too. The kind of compositions which give the wish to discover and feel a city. You made an excellent work on this shot, each pixel is perfectly exposed, the old man couldn't be better placed too, you succeeded to have clouds in the sky...
I visited two times Siena, always in may (good month also for visiting) and your shot remembers me beautiful moments spent there.
Regards,

Magali

GREGG (8243) 2012-06-10 11:38

Hello Will,
narrow stone streets,
laundry on the strings behind the window
flavors and aromas of Tuscany
nice shot,
Greg

vmukherjee (610) 2012-06-12 0:26