Vespa, a photo from Victoria, East

Photographer's Note

Time for another photo after more than a month's absence, and the complete fading of the newness of the new year, and any promises of self-improvement.

Last week I met Santo in the centre of Melbourne to have lunch in an Italian cafe (where the young Italian waiter looks like Buddy Holly, if he's wearing his glasses and you use a little imagination) and discuss some plans for the next get-together of the Melbourne based TE members.

To get to the cafe from Young and Jackson's pub in Flinders Street we walked along Degraves Street, one of Melbourne's characteristic lanes. I remember walking along it so many times, perhaps hundreds, when I was a boy; it was the shortest route, when combined with more lanes and arcades, from the Flinders Street station to my father's tailor's workshop. In those days it had a few drab sandwich bars, but was open to delivery vans. Today, the narrow street has been closed to traffic and been taken over by restaurant tables and an ineffable air of trendiness. It teems with people every day of the week. The workshop shows a street view from the footpath, looking north past the scooter.

I had only my compact camera with me, but the sunshine and colour of this scene tempted me to take a few shots. The young woman behind the Vespa had displayed for a minute or two every sign of waiting very impatiently for someone to arrive for a rendezvous; she must have picked Clementines because it's so hard not to find it in a short street. I suppose you just say, "Meet me at the orange Vespa".

jhm, dta, tyro, daddo, Royaldevon, macjake, saxo042, Kielia, gildasjan, COSTANTINO, Indrasish, PMH has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

jhm (211734) 2013-02-11 3:43

Hello Andrew,

Both picture are very pleasant for look at.
Your workshop picture gives a lot colors through the shed.
Fifty year ago I drove with a Vespa.
I can real enjoy of your nice picture.
Excellent composition, pleasant colors too.
Very well Done, TFS.

Have a nice Monday,
John.

dta (98848) 2013-02-11 3:44

Hello Andrew ,
This is an excellent composition , with strong contrast , the balance between the two orange elemnets - vespa and blind - , and the good position of the girl , just in the lit area .
Very well done .

CLODO (45116) 2013-02-11 3:53

Hi Andrew

i thought it was in Italy! Nice warm tones under sunshine, even the yong girl is basking in the sun.
Cheers
CLODO

tyro (30513) 2013-02-11 4:01

Hello Andrew,

It is indeed nice that nowadays we do find that urban planners have done some right things - like converting a previously drab lane into a busy and vibrant and friendly place such as this. Thank goodness that the planners of the 60s and 70s with their faceless slabbed walls of drab grey concrete have now gone!

Two lovely pictures in each of which the "clementine" Vespa takes pride of place and anchors the composition. Lovely bright sunlight in both, fine vibrant colours and exquiste details and sharpness.

I wish you well with your Melbourne TE meeting!

Excellent!

Kind Regards,

John.

P.S. Interestingly enough, it wasn't until we were in Italy a couple of years ago that I learned that "Vespa" means "wasp". And, curiously, the same manufacturers produce a tiny three-wheeled utility vehicle which they call an "Ape" - a "bee". But perhaps you knew that already?

daddo (28748) 2013-02-11 4:14

Hi Andrew. Talk about colour coordination- the Vespa, the name of the place, the reflection on the wall and even the young woman's face seems to have had the Vespa's colour bounce off her face.All the more reason to appreciate the green bits. Top shot. Great light which makes everything more pronounced, more solid. Regards. Klaudio.

snunney (130967) 2013-02-11 5:13

Hello Andrew,
The light falling across the young woman stood under the awning and the Vespa bring a particular mood to the scene. The shot is well composed with the two main elements nicely placed. I like the saturated orange tones of the scooter that seem to be mirrored by the awning. An excellent well presented daily life composition.

Royaldevon (85674) 2013-02-11 8:26

Hello Andrew,

It is good to see you posting again.
A belated Happy Newish Year to you, too.

It must have been difficult to decide which of your two shots to post. After much deliberation, I agree with your first choice for there is a very definite storyline, here, and you have suggested one in your notes. The vespa makes a strong focal image and it is natural to link the lady with it, as the second focal image, very definitely under the spotlight.
I like how your w/s shows the busy nature of the street, not evident in the first shot. That exciting alfresco ambience is always attractive to British people, as, usually, we only get that sort of weather for a few weeks in any year!

My warm regards,
Bev :-)

holmertz (102066) 2013-02-11 10:36

Hello Andrew,
This is a simple composition that gets more and more superb the longer I watch it. I really enjoy the combination of orange at the top and bottom with the green things surrounding the vespa, the dark sides, the opposing diagonals of the sidewalk and the marquee, and of course the young woman leaning against the wall in the bright light, like she had a spotlight pointed at her.
The note is interesting too. And please ask Santo to upload new pictures :-)
Kind regards,
Gert

zipekci (329) 2013-02-11 11:31

Hello Andrew,

The most beautiful wehicle in the world with very good presentation. Colors' harmony is very well.I want to add my theme with your permission.
Thanks for sharing

Happy days
Zekai

macjake (98262) 2013-02-11 11:50

Hi Andrew
so very nice to see you back after 1 months absence :)

I also really enjoyed reading you note, its well written with lots of information that kept me interested.

makes me wonder how man Melbourne TE members there are.

as for the photo, i'm glad you brought along your small compact camera, otherwise this photo wouldn't exist.
the orange color of the banner and the vespa are a perfect match made in heaven.

the addition of the cute lady just makes it even better.
sweet scene.
see you around
craig

saxo042 (38078) 2013-02-12 8:10

Hi Andrew,
The shadow forms a good diagonal in this picture. Hiiden somewhere betweem the orange scooter and the likewise awning, we can see girl. She is indeed in the background but very important to the scene. A very nice capture.
Kind regards
Gunnar

abmdsudi (95869) 2013-02-12 8:21

Hi Andrew
A fine street shot, the old vespa is a rare find nowadays. The glossy stunning orange brings back old memories of the 60s. This is a wonderful shot and something special that you have adopted a very personal angle into this photo and what a coincidence of color there. Cute is a word and it certainly suits very well here an the woman makes it happening. Keen eyes you have, a well spotted opportunity. Well done.
Kind regards

Kielia (24077) 2013-02-13 5:51

Hi Andrew,
you are presenting a lovely image this time - with a fantastic mood. It tells a whole story. It is very well composed and you have chosen an excellently working POV. Concerning the colors I agree to Klaudio. My compliments also for the accompanying note!
Warm regards
Harriet

Silvio1953 (220717) 2013-02-15 7:39

Ciao Andrew, nice see a fantastic vespa, splendid clarity and wonderful colors, very well done, my friend, have a good week end, ciao Silvio

gildasjan (43826) 2013-02-16 4:04

Bonjour Andrew.
Une tr鋊 bonne gestion de lumi鋨e pour cette image bien compos嶪 dans le cadre vertical.Bien ce scooter orange qui a la m瘱e couleur que le store "cl幦entines".
Bonne journ嶪
Amicalement
gildas

serp2000 (47063) 2013-03-20 0:36

Hi, Andrew,
The orange Vespa has got good support of the orange roof. Clever composition, if it was not, it would be worth while to invent. ))
Best wishes,
Serghei

Nard (6972) 2013-03-20 9:29

Hi Andrew
Very nice street scene with 3 major elements (Vespa, girl and sunblind). A splendid game between the shade and the sun on the vespa and the girl.
regards
Bernard

COSTANTINO (115605) 2013-05-08 1:26

Hello
we had the same inspiration about this kind of
shot calling Vespa,shot bringing memories
from the past for everybody who had a vespa
wonderful orange color
have a nice evening
regards
Costantino

adidas5nb (5743) 2013-05-29 3:54

lovely light and shade with a striking orange color theme.just a beautiful composition,with very classical elements and style.surprised to know this isn't anywhere in europe.the presence of the lady makes a lot of positive difference.
regards
dwaipayan

Indrasish (2943) 2013-08-25 7:18

Dear Andrew,
Excellent shot boss.. Love the composition and vertical framing.. Superb image quality too.. The orange shade and the orange scooter gave the mood of this photograph.. Very well done.. And thanks for attaching an interesting note.. TFS..
Best wishes from Kolkata, India..
Cheers,
Indrasish..