I love this space, the enormous columns, how it almost feels cramped to walk through, even though it's quite wide, looked at objectively. The columns just dwarf the passersby. There are several flags hanging along it; this is Mexico's (which is fairly distinct in black and white, and was hanging in a convenient place, compositionally).
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Place: 88 out of 147 Avg (all users): 5.5424 Avg (commenters): 5.8333 Avg (participants): 5.4943 Avg (non-participants): 5.6774 Views since voting: 1977 Votes: 118 Comments: 7 Favorites: 0
I think this was an excellent choice for duotones. The bw gives it an impersonal feeling to me, and helps to convey emotion. I also like that you have captured people "unaware" of you, as this gives it a "slice of life" feeling. It has a good perspective that draws you into the shot.
The flag doesn't stand out to me that much, but the sign does for some reason. It also feels very tight with the narrow vertical framing. Perhaps a wider framing would have opened it up some, and helped to eliminate the "leaning" effect of the pillars on the right side. The lack of symmetry is probably the weakest element of the shot, and it can be difficult to achieve unless you line up parts of the shot while you shoot. Even then, it can be tricky. emorgan49 has given much better "advice' than I could on this topic.
Good work, and best to you in future challenges.
karmat
In answer to your question: A crooked horizon is one of the easiest to fix of common photography mistakes.
Most cameras will distort the edges of a photo when using a wide angle lens. When the lens is zoomed out, it is in the wide angle range. It is disconcerting to humans to look at tilted horizons. An image that is 1 to 2 degrees off it's axis looks like an unintentional mistake. If you are deliberately tipping an image, the tilt has to be greater to look like you meant it to be part of the composition.
One way to make an image that has lens distortion appear straight is to balance the bending on each side. If both sides bend inwards the same amount, the image will seem to be straight. However the best way is to choose something in the center of the image where there is no distortion and make sure the horizon there is parellel to the edge. Obviously this is not always possible, but in your case you have the sign "Office Tower" in the dead center. You can rotate the image to get that sign straight.
If you want to use the wide angle aspect of your lens, it might be best not to choose a subject that has stark upright lines at the edges of the frame as it will emphasize the bending. If the edge is mostly sky, no one will notice it.
Part of creating a great photograph is learing the strengths and weaknesses of your camera and working WITh it rather than fighting against it. Everyone wishes his camera could do just a litle more.
ps..I think it is better to wait till the voting has ended to challenge a comment. Were you asking me to reevaluate my opinion of your picture and give it a better score?
Interesting lighting.. it's hard to tell what time of the day it was taken with all those lights shining :) the contrast with the dark-suited people is also nice
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