Summer in The City (Click for larger view)

Errrm Street or Children? .......Hmm You decide.

Your thoughts and comments are always appreciated. Thank You.

Alf,

This works very well in b/w and I like all the water action.  Also nice to see happy children as well.  Well done.  Cheers, bb

Great shot Alf!  As stated earlier B/W works really well here.  Darling scene, did you not post something similar to this last year?  Are you going to enter it in this months contest?  You never know.  Nice to have you back!  Cheers!

-Dave

Sorry, already found it to be posted. Thumbs up!

-Dave

A beautiful and lovely black and white result with very nice lighting, Alf!

Gives a feel of what one would like to have in summer. The child is having in abundance what they have great fun with, water splashes.

A Street Urchin? Nah, a beautiful little girl. ;-)

i like your choice of shutter speed that freezes the action and draws more attention to her face.  The little boy's expression in the back seems to say, "That's a great idea!"

Well done in b/w and I'm sure the Lovin Spoonful would love the shot and the title....  Mike

Hi Alf,

  Beautiful b/w capture with wonderful processing.  That looks like fun.  Take care, Patsy

You captured the joy of the girl in an excellent way. Congratulations.

Ben

An outstanding street shot!

Hi Alf

You have captured a great moment! Exposure is controlled well and the composition suits the scene.

Hi Alf,

Another fine example of what shooting a very good lens wide open can accomplish.

Great results my friend.

Best Regards, Mike

Many Thanks for your thoughts and positive feedback, much appreciated! 

The fountains were like a magnet to every passing child.  Each would try and run through the sprays of water without getting drenched. This little girl was the exception, she didn't seem to care how wet she was. she was too busy having fun! 

Cheers Mate! 

Alf 

DAVE 

You have a great memory I posted another from this same series, though I think the last was in colour. This was my favoured shot though, I just don't seem to have time to post everything. But yeah I dug this one out when I saw the subject for this months competition. 

Sincere Thanks Dave, always good to hear from you! 

Alf

RUUD 

Many Thanks for your thoughts and kind words, much appreciated! 

Best Regards 

Alf 

JATINDER 

Sincere Thanks for your thoughtful feedback.  

It is most gratifying to read that the image conveyed the element of fun as I intended it to.

Best Regards

Alf 

MIKE M 

The street urchin was the one taking the photograph mate! : - ) 

The kids were loving the fountains and every parent had to tug their children away from the magnetic attraction of the water. This little girl was absolutely mesmerised by it, and was quite content to get wet. 

I was going to deny remembering any band named "The Lovin Spoonful" But you'd know I was lying : - ) 

Many Thanks Mike, much appreciated! 

Alf

PATSY

Well I didn't try it personally but yeah it did look like a lot of fun : - ) 

In fact it was fun just watching, I laughed out loud on more than one occasion.

Many Thanks Patsy! 

Alf 

BEN 

Its good to know that the element of Joy was conveyed as I had hoped.

Many Thanks for your thoughtful feedback! 

Best Regards 

Alf 

APURVA 

Many Thanks, it was a good plan, sit by the fountain on a hot day and just wait for the children to come and play! 

Best Regards 

Alf 

JUHA 

Many Thanks for your thoughts and positive feedback. 

I used the lens with a wide open aperture for a few reasons, to get a good quality image, to get a reasonably fast shutter speed as I didn't have my tripod, and I wanted to "freeze" the action of the water.

Best Regards 

Alf 

MIKE P 

Yes I actually ventured out on that occasion without my faithful companion the tripod. Well I left it in the car, they can be a cumbersome thing in a busy city centre environment.

Many Thanks for stopping by Mike, I appreciate your feedback! 

Best Regards 

Alf 

This is excellent!

Alf, Lovely!  The boy in the back brings another dimension to this piece.  With the girl, it would look like a show of delight with almost magical beads of water and the freezing of the scene and fountain piece like one of those snow cones.  With the boy running in, it provides entrance to the viewer as well; we have access to this enjoyment, this Wonderland, and there is an implication of joint adventure of the two, which opens up a whole lot of story lines, doesn't it!  A joyful, delightful, magical slice of childhood

Thank you so much! 

Alf 

DONNA

Most of the children were allowed at least one dash through the fountains, sometimes by reluctant parents that were busy shopping, and who knew they might have to deal with a soggy child for the rest of the day : - ) 

But the little girl was left to her own devices whilst mum chilled out and watched.  I was mesmerised at the sheer joy and exuberance I witnessed. 

The little girl was totally bewitched by the water and was singing little songs and dancing without a care in the world.

I was laughing and smiling at her antics, and your description of "Wonderland" really sums it up, she was so lost to it all. 

The little boy in the background did a  super fast "run through" on a couple of occasions,  which I think was designed to impress the little girl, but it was wasted on her, she was immersed like a princess in her watery palace.

I think in total I must have witnessed about 20 children at different times within the 30 mins or so I was there, one of the most rewarding 30 minutes I have ever spent doing anything......even if I hadn't got a single decent shot, it was just so uplifting to see!

I am so glad the sense of joy was conveyed to you. 

Sincere Thanks! 

Alf 

I think Donna says it so well. But my, she is such a beauty!!! Her expression is one that I love seeing on a child, so ready and happy to see just what fun awaits!! I would love to have her see this capture when she is older and see what she thinks. What a wonderful memory you captured for her Alf.

Excellent vivid and perfectly composed scene captured here Alf ... her joyful expression is marvelous....!!!..... the rich grey tonality enriches the presentation...!!! 

Splendid and full of life like only a baby can be!

Yes I agree, Donna certainly has a way with words! 

The little girl was lost to the moment, oblivious of anything but the cascades of water and the feeling of joy. 

It was a pleasure and a privilege just to witness the little girl playing.  Of course I have no idea who she is, or her family but it would be great if I could send them some of the images. 

I'm so pleased that the image conveyed the feelings of the moment.

Sincere Thanks and warm regards 

Alf 

KARALOS 

I did try the colour version which was ok, but somehow the B & W seemed to emphasise the little girls demeanour a little more.

Many Thanks & Kind Regards 

Alf 

MAURIZIO

The innocence of childhood is unmistakable, thank you so much for your interest and kind words! 

Alf 

Superb shot , it shows all the excitement of this daring adventure . Definately  a " Children " subject . Bill

Many thanks for your thoughts and positive feedback, much appreciated!

I think I'm inclined to agree with you, more about children than street.

Cheers! 

Alf 

Hi Alf,

What a great Street/Child shot! Excellent choice of shutter speed timing and B/W post processing really suits the image. Excellent work all round! Best wishes. Sarah.

It was an interesting half hour, nearly every child that passed by was drawn towards the fountains like bee's to a flower, much to the consternation of some busy parents that didn't seem to relish the thought of taking their soggy children shopping : - ) 

Many Thanks for your thoughts and kind words Sarah! 

Best Regards 

Alf 

Excellent light, frame and movement.