I love the story. If you accept the experts, our eye first goes to the upper left third. That is a window. After that, we "look around" and find the interesting part(s). An alternative way to crop would focus on the musicians and their audience and exclude the buildings. The right lower quarter is a really cool shot. Just a thought.   Posted: 10/02/2026 22:02:04

Being one for textures, this is a gobsmack. The pavement; the gingerbread fencing; the granite obelisk "Mozart"; the accordian keyboard; the building behind. What a brilliant contrast.
I also note the drawing of the eye along the harp line, to the face and fingers of the musician. It goes boldly there as if we too, were sitting on the pavement.
I like Keith's idea of cropping to the subjects, possibly pulling it in then blurring the background. That would create a diagonal sight line from upper left to lower right. Just sayin'.
What an interesting, layered capture.
  Posted: 10/02/2026 23:17:27

Dr. Vaisman, I agree with Keith on this one. I love the image and what first caught my eye was Mozart then down to the musicians, then off to the left middle bright box and yellow flowers. I would've cropped off the left side as well..maybe as for into the round stone corner of the fence near the harpist. I really enjoy the images from other countries, and I thank you for taking me on your journey. Beautiful colors and the light is handled well on the Mozart Monument and the image is sharp.   Posted: 10/02/2026 23:54:41

Isaac, this is a very nice street scenery. I agree with the others that cropping the image would help to lead the eye on the musicians and the backpackers. The latter to me make the image because they tell the story. I can image them walking around and enjoying free music. I think the "Mozart" adds to the image because of the musicians.

best

Michele   Posted: 10/08/2026 15:17:19

So, this is the consensus !!   Posted: 10/08/2026 15:47:30

Dr. Vaisman, I really love this capture of the street musicians! You have done a wonderful job of freezing a lively, storytelling moment-the candid presence is so strong that I can almost hear the harp and accordion playing from here.
I definitely agree with the other group members about cropping out some of the busy space on the left side to help focus the viewer's eye. However, rather than just a side crop, I felt that a vertical (portrait) crop could work beautifully to keep our attention locked entirely on the heart of the scene: the musicians and the relaxing backpackers.
To show what I mean, I tried a vertical edit where I tightened the frame, added a gentle vignette to soften the outer edges, and slightly highlighted the musicians and their intimate 'audience' on the ground. I feel this really emphasizes the connection between the players and those enjoying their music right in front of the Mozart monument, while cutting out the distracting elements on both sides.
Curious to hear what others think of this vertical approach! Great shot!   Posted: 10/13/2026 17:33:00

Isaac,

I think your crop created a much better image. I also like the one proposed by Linda.

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Michele   Posted: 10/14/2026 12:51:53

Isaac -

Your photo tells a sweet story. I hope they were playing something composed by Mozart (or perhaps 'The Sound of Music'?). The two backpackers are a bonus with their relaxed seating.

I think that your photo could focus more on the musicians and their audience with a vertical or square crop, eliminating most of the windows and even the space on the pedestal with the bronze bas-reliefs but then you might have to also remove or darken the man's head on the far right as he becomes more prominent/distracting.

IMO - Your final crop 'nails' it!

B
  Posted: 10/20/2026 21:09:17