I did not get a chance to talk about some of the pictures I posted. When I posted the first set, there were a fair number of views, but no one commented on them. If they are bad, I need to know, so I can improve.
Now, in regards to the fellow in the wheelchair. In St. Augustine down around George St., there are a number of small shops with crafts and such, but they are real small. When I took this shot, I first thought that this poor old guy was left there by whomever was out shopping. I thought this guy was old. When I passed him when we left that alley, the guy was in his late 20's or early 30's. About the time we had passed him, he smiled as his family and friends came out of the shop they were in. Sometimes a picture doesn't say the whole story.
Now, one of my favorite pictures is the one with the fountain. I actually have two almost identicle pictures. One has the flower in focus and the fountain out of focus, and then one like this. To me, this picture is dramatic, because our brain, or at least my brain, wants to first look at the unfocused flower. The picture with the flower in focus and the fountain out of focus is also interesting. There is always the tock of "bokeh' or out of focus background. I know that typically with flower shots folks usually want the background completly out of focus. But I on the other hand love how, like in this picture, the unfocused portion can still be recognizable. In my second picture, the fountain is unfocused and almost a Silhouette of the fountain. I will post this one as well when I get a chance.
In regards to the bell tower, that is where the Church's gift shop is at. I take pictures of buildings as I see them. Meaning, if I'm in close corners, the only way to get the picture is point the camera up. I've read many rules that pictures should be taken level..etc. But when in tight street corners, there's no way to take a picture without the perspective of looking up. Even if its not the correct way, its the way that I remember looking at it.
One of my favorite pictures is of my girlfriend as she turned to look at something. Only a small portion of her face can be seen. She does not like portraits. She doesn't mind folks taking a picture with a group or far away, but she doesn't like close portraits. One of the reason's I love the kit lens is because at the long end, it allows me to take portraits farther away and be less intrusive. I would have not gotten some of portraits without the kit lens, or at least, a lens at 80-90mm eq. focal length.
And I wouldn't worry about the idea that to be successful a photo needs "to be taken level" - think about all the incredible war photograhs from the Civil War to our too many wars of the present.
