Covent Garden

**Didache** · 08-03-2009, 09:11 AM

Hi all

I went off to London again today, this time to Covent Garden which used to be a flower market, but these days is mostly shops, cafes, and a lot of street entertainment. Great place for people watching and candids!

This is probably my favourite of the day .... I call it 'Frozen Yoghurt' - or should that be 'Everyone's a Critic'

As always, comment away!

Cheers
Mike

**gahspidy** · 08-03-2009, 09:30 AM

There is a nice and warm feeling about this and not only the scene but the soft diffused lighting and creamy colors of the store front and sidewalk.
My only wish for this photograph would be to have more interaction between the violin player and the little girl. If the little girl were to be looking up acknowledging the player it would lure us more into the story here.
Still and yet its a delightful shot.

**Didache** · 08-03-2009, 09:49 AM

No sooner asked for ....

Actually the story is .. the adult girl was part of a five piece string quintet (the rest of whom are off frame to the left). The little girl was showing no interest whatsoever, so the viola player you can see was trying very hard to catch her attention. This is the moment of triumph!

Mike

gracie_r · 08-03-2009, 09:51 AM

On the first I was going to say to crop out the little girl. I don't think she adds anything. But I really like the second! I'd try to clone out the frozen yogurt right at her head, it almost looks like a hat.

**Didache** · 08-03-2009, 10:06 AM

Ta da!!

Some other small tidying up too.

Mike

**gahspidy** · 08-03-2009, 11:03 AM

Ha, like a magician springing a rabbit out of the hat you seem to have set us up for that first critique! There it is, the one I wished for and the cloning was a good suggestion and you did it well. This is a wonderful scene

starriderrick · 08-03-2009, 06:43 PM

All I can say is..."I have learned so much from this thread"...Fantastic final product Mike...As usual.

Rick

**Didache** · 08-04-2009, 12:14 AM

Thanks guys .. it was fun! Gary is absolutely right - I had the second one up my sleeve, knowing that someone would want the little girl interacting somehow with the musician.

I have done a few more minor edits - pulling back the air conditioner in the window, removing the doorknob, and skewing the musician slightly upwards so she fills a little more of the left hand side ... you can see it at: http://www.mikedalesphotography.co.uk/photo3199118.html

Cheers
Mike

Overbeyond · 08-04-2009, 04:00 AM

The interaction between girl and musician is perfect now. However Mike I suggest you use your PS capabilities and clone out that heater unit or whatever inside the door and just behind the top of the bow.

**Didache** · 08-04-2009, 04:04 AM

Tom - I did (or at least toned it down to almost nothing) .. see the link in the previous post.

Cheers
Mike

Overbeyond · 08-04-2009, 04:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Didache

Tom - I did (or at least toned it down to almost nothing) .. see the link in the previous post.

Cheers
Mike

Yep; that's the ticket Mike.

**gahspidy** · 08-04-2009, 08:28 AM

Excellent Mike. Hey, while your at it could you please just lower the prices on the Yoghurt a bit. I would like to plan a vist and a good discount would be very nice!
thanks

**Didache** · 08-04-2009, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gahspidy

Excellent Mike. Hey, while your at it could you please just lower the prices on the Yoghurt a bit. I would like to plan a vist and a good discount would be very nice!
thanks

Ha!! Covent Garden is not a cheap place to eat - you pay for the atmosphere and the free entertainment - not to mention the possibility of getting snapped by roving photographers!

For the record, Covent Garden used to be the major London flower market. It is just off the market in the portico of St Paul's Church, sheltering from the rain, that Henry Higgins first meets Liza Doolittle, who is a flower girl working from the market. If you are a very sad person, you can stand in the portico and hum 'The rain in Spain'

Cheers
Mike

**Frog** · 08-04-2009, 09:18 AM

Don't know why I didn't see this yesterday but the progression is fascinating and the final product is the best.

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