What's wrong with this picture?

[js670]

I've been shooting with a rangefinder for quite a while now, and have taken, IMO, some reasonable images. However, I've been slightly frustrated in realising the finished image. I just can't seem to get the level of 'snap' I'm looking for - whether it's a question of luminosity or '3D feel', I can't really tell, so I'm asking for help!

I've attached two images I'm reasonably pleased with (the fire truck and the ladder), which will hopefully shed some light on what I'm looking for, and one I'm less pleased with (the umbrella). I'm not sure what I'm looking for - I'm happy with the composition, it's just the look of the image I don't like (are they too flat? too dull?). For information, these are taken on HP5 with a ZM 50/2.

I realise this is an extremely lazy and vague request, but if any of you could spare any time to give me your thoughts on these (whether its with regard to camera technique or post processing, I'd be really grateful.

If it's any use, an image which does seem to jump out at me is this http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1308/1198187075_464e9aa11c.jpg by Maddoc; obviously it's colour, so not a great comparative, but it really seems to have punch.

Thanks!

 

[js670]

Thanks, Richard, that's already ten times better! Even so, I still feel there's something lacking, perhaps it's just that the lighting was a little flat.

 

[FrankS]

How are you getting your finished prints? Scanning negs yourself? Inkjet? Darkroom?

 

[js670]

I get the negs developed by a (good) lab, then scan them myself (Epson 4990 flatbed). I rarely print, but when I do, I use a Canon Pixma inkjet. I think, though, that (what I perceive as) my issues are arising before the print, so that's not it - it's either in my camera technique or in the scan (or processing).

 

[le vrai rdu]

I really like the first one, I just regret you didn't went nearer to the truck saw as to catch the gaze of the firemen inside the truck 😉

 

[charjohncarter]

As you using a digital editor, here is my version; UnSharpMask 20-50-0, and a very slight curves. I'm not a fan of flat lighting, it always seems like a lot of work to get an image. Maybe that is why I live in California. For indoor or cloudy flat days I use PlusX and develop in Rodinal, just my formula for this type of lighting. Here is what I came up with, I added the blue border so I would know which images was which. It's a small change because I really didn't think it was that bad.

 

[Todd.Hanz]

Like the others...I think it's a contrast issue.

Todd

 

[js670]

Thanks everyone, I'll have a play around with the contrast on my images and see what I can come up with.

Much as I'd love to have some more interesting lighting, summer in London is just as grey and rainy as the rest of the year. Perhaps that's why the first two images are better - different location!

Thanks for all your help.