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It's always a pleasure to see a photograph in which all the elements have been treated usefully and artfully. Look at how nicely all the background lines and forms work together with the figures and how the darkness along the right side receives the structural weight.

 

But what I find most interesting about this picture is how it inverts my reality: I should see the figure (a sculpture, I am assuming?) as out of place with that gesture-for-nobody with no response to being rained on. But the figure's gesture and "eye" contact is so compelling to me, that rather than see him as out of place, I see the background as out of place — which is obviously absurd. The power of art to connect me to ITS condition overrides my common sense understanding that this is a constructed form in a real rainy street. I love it! Art rules.

My take on the image is that the figure on the right side may be a street performer. Even if it's a statue, as Julie stated, I still find the image compelling. The two figures not only are in opposite directions from each other; they also are engaged in different activities: one is walking and the other is dancing. Mike's composition and camera settings skillfully - and artistically - create two sectors, one sharp and the other soft. Finally, I see that Mike really had no choice but to go b&w with this image.

The iris blur filter seems too abrupt and noticeable for me. The edge splits the page near the center line. Otherwise, it is a well composed and interesting image.

Great street shot where the lines and composition goes well together, i think the only thing i would have liked "different" would be that the mine goes in between the flags instead of them sticking up behind. Still its lovely with the depth you got from both the lines and background with the bridge etc, the figure with the umbrella caps it off nicely as well and makes it a very if not perfect picture.

/martin.