From the Overpass

Very good camera point, which shows the big part of the street and the activity on it..The diagonal " cut"of compsition with the yellow/orange X brings a nice tention to the whole. I like as well the light and the long shadows,which  are the result.

Fun, striking geometry, "A Kids's view". But maybe I'm spoiled forever!

Those long shadows are brilliant, and make the composition work as well as it does, I think. The undisturbed X ("don't go here"?) versus the more chaotic, random world of shadows and shapes - intriguing effect.

X marks the spot.  It helps the viewer notice how the shadow of the biker toward the back almost reaches the biker in the front.  They are connected without knowing it.  

Thanks for the comments on this one.

Pnina - I've always liked pictures taken from an overhead perpective. One of the problems with living in Osaka is that it's so flat and crowded. It's really hard to create sufficient space for longer range shots. By the way, are you completely over your injury yet? Between your broken arm and Gail Harmer's broken shoulder, it's a real rehab ward around here.

Wayne - Thanks. Yeah, I do like the stretched, angular geometry. I'm curious what you mean by "a kid's view"?

Wouter - I agree the x works very well here. In fact, after I posted this, I thought maybe a better title would be "Along the X Axis" but it's been up a while now so I'll save my inspired titles for some other picture. Shadows have long intrigued me; early morning/late afternoon shots always give you that additional dimension to play with.

Michael - Thanks. That's a good observation about how the shadow stretches from biker to biker and connects them. No one has commented on the pedestrian at the top but for me he is the most interesting figure in the picture. I just like the way he leans forward, silhouetted, with one hand lifted to his face.

@Jack: My bad, I meant A Kid's World

It's a great overhead shot, Jack, but it is the big "X" that gives it purpose--sort of like the "Big W" in the movie It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World, except that no one seems either to see it or be looking for it.

--Lannie

Yup, the X is a great juxtaposition with the other lines of the shot; one of the major themes of street photography.

This photo really moves even as it depicts movement as well. I can almost feel the shadows lengthening, which will be happening, of course, at a much slower pace than the movement of the bikes, but somehow the stilling of the shadows almost seems to hasten the feeling of movement I get from them. Yes, the unabashed and blatant diagonal also moves and has a bold confidence to it. The "X" provides that forced static geometrical counterpoint, IMO, even as it is in harmony with the rest of the shot's angles and feel.