Back Alley Stroll

Taken for 'The American' Photography Contest. I put a lot of thought, debate, and effort into the photos I'm submitting for this contest. I really wanted to capture moments that made me smile, but it also had to have a natural feel to it and a good composition. I took a lot of photos, and in the end narrowed it down to a select few. I don't know how well I'll do though, since I don't have the nice equipment that a lot of the other photographers entering this contest have. But that's not stopping me!

One of the ways they described what they were looking for was 'roam your local streets and capture the hidden corners and secret nooks'...so I took that literally here and shot down the alley. I was walking ahead with my dad and liked the way the alley looked, so I turned around and snapped a quick shot back down it at my brother and two of my cousins before they could react. I like the leisurely stroll feel, and how it's not crowded with people like the rest of that trip was. It's secluded but not menacing.

For the editing, since it was a back alley I wanted to heighten the grungy feel of it. _{(And lets face it, this is one of my favorite looks to use at the moment)} But I also wanted it bright. It's not the most dazzling of places, but neither is it unwelcoming.