A feel for being there.

“You had to have been there” is a common comment when people view my photos and respond politely with “that’s interesting” then ask for another drink or head for the loo.

Ive seen pictures of Venice in magazines and forums that show me the tourist stuff better than I could take it.
i might wonder why I would bother taking a photo of my wife, say, in another f***ing gondola. I know what both look lik without being reminded when I get home.

aome years back I decided I would capture what I thought was a feeling for being there. The shots might seem careless mistakes. They are not. 

Staircase in Vizensa.

Nice render here! Well done for the tones here. 

I think this is very interesting and to be honest, I like the feels of the shot. 

$0.02

You finally hit upon it in your 3rd paragraph.

If you want others to be interested in your work, you have two choices:

1. shock/surprise them
2. create an emotional connection.

Instagram is driven by the former. And that (unfortunately) makes images disposable, IMNSHO.

As for the latter, the responses you've gotten tell you that this is true, and your viewers are not finding that engagement. So you are left with:

1. being satisfied with the images as memories for you and yours, or
2. working harder to create that connection. That's what drives many photographers.

It's your choice. The image of the stairway is somewhat interesting; I don't care for the two faces nearest the camera, but I see what you are trying to do. I also like the tones of the image. It does not seem a careless mistake, although I don't know that it's as successful as you'd like.

But I think, with some intention to the craft, you could make some lovely images.

And I'm glad you shared.

garyrhook wrote: $0.02

You finally hit upon it in your 3rd paragraph.

If you want others to be interested in your work, you have two choices:

1. shock/surprise them
2. create an emotional connection.

Instagram is driven by the former. And that (unfortunately) makes images disposable, IMNSHO.

As for the latter, the responses you've gotten tell you that this is true, and your viewers are not finding that engagement. So you are left with:

1. being satisfied with the images as memories for you and yours, or
2. working harder to create that connection. That's what drives many photographers.

It's your choice. The image of the stairway is somewhat interesting; I don't care for the two faces nearest the camera, but I see what you are trying to do. I also like the tones of the image. It does not seem a careless mistake, although I don't know that it's as successful as you'd like.

But I think, with some intention to the craft, you could make some lovely images.

And I'm glad you shared.

such is the way of personal choices, Gary.
firstly, I’m here to express a personal opinion regarding my approach to photography. It’s a work in progress, although I do find it physically challenging these days.
so I write about my experiences.
Im not particularly concerned if other find my photos (not work) interesting. That might seem strange but I’ve always seen photography as a sort of personal therapy. It’s only in recent years I’ve been encouraged to present my photos to public forums like this.
what I do find is the incredible difference in approach I and others have to taking photographs.
people talk of rules, cameras, composition, detail, and most of all, their liking (or not) for the image in question. So strange. they talk of aesthetics as if that’s the only reason why people shoot. 
I generalise of cause.
we all have our reasons.
As for the interest of others, I’m of the ilk that if one is not interested they are either uninteresting or should get interested.
interest isn’t a possession of the photo. It’s a characteristic of the beholder. We don’t take interesting photos; we show photos to interested people.
if all they can say is “nice shot” or “good tones” is is an indication that they probably have either a limited interest or limited knowledge.

whether you care for the faces near the camera is irrelevant to my needs or anyone else’s. That’s your preference based on your own preferences. You didn’t take the picture, nor was the picture taken for you in particular. It was posted as an example of how to deal with crowds in the street. 
I m sure you have your own methods of doing that, based on the way you want your photos to look.

and finally, do you see what conversation and exchange of ideas takes place when a simple photograph is the centre of attention? 

one aspect of tourist photography that can create a problem is the opposing tourist group who persist in spending all day blocking the shot.
I sont fight it any more. They get included. 

This is a nice way to approach it. Touristic places could really be a problem. 

I think you did well for what was on your plate! 

Well, this is creative. it is not distracting at all. 

Good composition! Nice idea to include them in your shots. 

Right. Nice concept. 

I would look it at it as street photography. Rather than regard the tourists as an obstacle or distration the photo could be also about them. It could be an illustration of tourism in action.

Well done. This is street photography and parts of the photo are a blur. No matter Well done.