Hmmm. Lot's to think about. I'm actually wondering whether STEREO may not be a way to make a better photograph of the shop as a whole. By adding the third dimension, many of those cluttered rows of merchandise would become visibly separated and distinguishable from one another. The only problem is I'd need a tripod to be able to take pictures with slide film, and kind as the proprietors are to photographers I don't think they'd wear that. We shall see...
After looking at both photos, I have to say that if I had to choose between the two, I'd pick the first one. It was sharp, yes, but I didn't find it particularly oversharpened. This photo looks a bit muddy, and the blacks are too pronounced for my tastes.
You've probably already come to this conclusion, but sharpening isn't going to make or break this photo. It really needs to be recomposed. I agree that selective close-up shots are the way to go - you could try arranging a number of merchandise closeups (or even cavalier, spontaneous snapshots of the walls or customers - maybe mix the two) into one image, for example, using a square crop for each image, then arranging them 4X4 (or whatever) in a new document with a white border inbetween the photos. (Sorry, it's difficult to explain what's going on in my head . . .)
I do understand your intent to show the entire store and how cluttered and colourful it is. If you want to stick to wider shots, perhaps you need some framing. Maybe a shot through the window? The door? Through something on display? This would also create a bit of depth, I think.
You're lucky to find a store where the owners don't mind you taking photographs! I look forward to seeing more from this series. :)
Roger, hope you won't hit me but the colours suffer too much from that increased contrast. I'd leave it like it is, it's nice even with that little deficit. To get all these little things better recognizable you need another standpoint of shooting. And I am not a friend of brutal 50% crops ( pour corriger la fortune)afterwards, especially not at w-a shots. BTW I was so deeply concerned (sniff !!) about your softness crtizism that I decided to throw "Waterway" out and repost a version which is edible also for highly spoilt Gourmand eyes. Will be so sharp that you will cut your eyelashes at the edges !!
so much different, still not my sort of subject but looks way better did you use the contrast sharpening? Anyhow whatever you did rog it works....regards
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