Stephen Fowler
October 2026 - Hidden Hinterdorfstrasse
About the Image(s)
Zermatt is this winding tangle of old and new. Sure, it's the quintessential tourist trap. . all the trappings of a high-end resort town. But Old Zermatt is the site of 14th & 15th century structures that have stood the test of time. We literally walked back 500 years in time to experience an AirBNB whose window framed the Matterhorn.
The address was on Hinterdorstrasse, and this photo was taken in mid-summer when the town was filled with like-minded tourists such as this one. The only expression is his mouth. His only body language is his hands. The winding, narrow street tells of separation from "the other Zermatt."
Technical Info:
Camera: Samsung SMG65MU
Settings: f/2.4 @ 1/30th. ISO 250, 4.3 mm lens; Natural daylight, July, 8:17 PM.
Adjustments: Cropped 1/2 of original; slight saturation, exposure enhancements.
9 comments posted
Stephen, interesting site. Indeed the structures visible look old. I made the verticals straight. The fact that this man is taking a picture with his phone, and covering his face with his hands gives some hint of mystery to the image. Keeps us guessing what does he look like. The red flowers is an additional accent to it. Posted: 10/02/2026 18:28:16
Appreciate your analysis. And, straightening out the verticals does make a difference, for sure. In the original, he is so far back in the shot that the verticals aren't discernable, and truthfully, I didn't consider the angular aspect until you pointed it out. Thank you.
Posted: 10/02/2026 22:55:46
Posted: 10/02/2026 22:55:46
The way this is cropped and presented is perfect. I really feel like I am on the walk way heading into the scene. I am there. Posted: 10/02/2026 22:05:07
Thank you! As my reply to Dr. Vaisman's comment indicated, this was taken from a longer perspective, and I'm thankful the resolution held true to get this out of it. If I'd have been a little more quick thinking, I'd of gotten a little closer to him. . . maybe a bit harder when doing a candid. Going to have to pull out the 300mm next time (and I'd love a next time in Zermatt). Posted: 10/02/2026 23:01:20
Stephen, this is great. I looked at this image a long time appreciating what I could see of the old craftsmanship of the buildings. I like the mixture of the wood and stone. The colors are good and the highlights are good. Nothing is blown out. Nice job taking me into the image and having a little stroll some place I've never been. I also agree with Dr. Vaisman about the red flowers. This was a perfect pop of color in a natural-toned environment. I had to look closely and wondered what was the grey box behind the man's head? I would've cloned that out personally. Posted: 10/03/2026 00:09:17
Thank you! I'm chuckling because "that box" is a detail I missed. It may have been an address or possibly a historical explanation of the building. . . in any event, it doesn't look necessary for the quality of the picture. Thanks for the catch. I might AI the original and see if the mystery can be solved!
Thanks! Posted: 10/04/2026 21:26:52
Thanks! Posted: 10/04/2026 21:26:52
Stephen,
I can't add much to what others have already said. The straightening and cropping suggested by Isaac improve the image and allow the viewer to identify the subject more immediately.
I also agree with Kerry that cloning out the box would create a cleaner composition. That said, it becomes a question of how one defines street photography. Purists would argue that if an element is present in the scene, then it should remain in the photograph as part of an honest representation of the moment.
In any case, I think the image works much better with the suggested adjustments.
Best wishes,
Michele Posted: 10/14/2026 13:14:58
I can't add much to what others have already said. The straightening and cropping suggested by Isaac improve the image and allow the viewer to identify the subject more immediately.
I also agree with Kerry that cloning out the box would create a cleaner composition. That said, it becomes a question of how one defines street photography. Purists would argue that if an element is present in the scene, then it should remain in the photograph as part of an honest representation of the moment.
In any case, I think the image works much better with the suggested adjustments.
Best wishes,
Michele Posted: 10/14/2026 13:14:58
Stephen -
An interesting old village scene made better with the inclusion of the single photographer who balances out the photo and adds human interest to the photo. The red flowers nicely add color and contrast to the old buildings.
I used a slight vertical and horizontal crop to straighten out the angles which IMO completes your well-captured photo.
B
Posted: 10/20/2026 21:15:50
An interesting old village scene made better with the inclusion of the single photographer who balances out the photo and adds human interest to the photo. The red flowers nicely add color and contrast to the old buildings.
I used a slight vertical and horizontal crop to straighten out the angles which IMO completes your well-captured photo.
B
Posted: 10/20/2026 21:15:50
Stephen, this image delivers a wonderful sense of historical atmosphere through the rich, weathered textures of the ancient timber architecture, nicely punctuated by the splash of red flowers. Framing the tourist deep in the alley creates a compelling layer of modern life meeting 15th-century history. Straightening the verticals brings stability to those tall wooden structures, and a subtle contrast boost along the lower street path would lead the viewer's eye even more fluidly toward your subject. Great sense of place! Posted: 10/25/2026 14:51:03