5
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Edwin Galea's picture

Defensive streets

St. Ursula Street is probably one of the most beautiful and interesting Streets in Valletta, Malta. With its low risers and deep treads, the stepped street is designed to enable the defending knights in armour to waddle up and down the streets, but making it more difficult for knights on horseback from the attacking side.

As the stepped street is in the shadows cast by the surrounding buildings, it’s rather dark compared to the colourful surroundings bathed in sunlight. So, I'm not quite sure how to best present it. This is the full uncropped image. In this version, I desaturated the almost colourless steps. I have different crops and different colour versions, but this is my base case. Any suggestions welcome.
Sony A7iv + Sony 70-200mm f2.8 GM II

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3 Comments

Edwin, very very interesting I wouldn't worry about chopping anything ... Oh! I Meant cropping.
What have You done so far ... P.M. this might take awhile :)

many thanks Paul, glad you like the photograph. Also glad you think the uncropped version is good. I like the colours, textures and clutter of the surrounding buildings, I think it leads you into the image.

Edwin, I just realized you must have desaturated the lateral portion? Road and stairs looks good maybe just a tweak in contrast and lowering the highlights some (maybe low highlights overall then play with the contrast in the street and stairway).
Get rid of the lower 6 people except the woman over to the right, and with the remaining maybe try to get what little colour I see to pop.
Cheers! Nice image :)