Enquire...then shoot it.
Never hesitate to photograph anything red; it will give you a pleasing image.
That's just how it is.
The red backdrop building looks something akin to a fortification against which the statue is railing. Somewhat oblivious the man weilds his phone as the statue does its sword; the handle of his suitcase kicking back like a scabbard, in concert with the kick back of the statue's cloak - so that the two are in perfect harmony.
This precision in the balancing of the elements is most certainly good fortune. You take care of what you can and leave the rest to fate. BUT one must be prepared for good fortune lest it be wasted.
Typically on the street I will select and arrange a 'theatre' - some clear section of the scene through which I can watch people pass. It is then a matter of looking up and down the way to see who, or what is coming; so that the shot can be anticipated and timed.
Thames
For time in the very centre of London Chris and I would often choose to take a bottle of wine on the southbank. Sometimes this would mean buying a couple of glasses at the BFI (so we could avail ourselves of their patio seating) which we would then keep topped up from a bottle of supermarket Pinot, on account of their fancy London prices. And anyway, the patio seating was always overcrowded and somewhat uncomfortable.
Other times might see us camped outside of the Festival Hall, a good spot for people watching as the streams they make come to a confluence around the steps from the Golden Jubilee Bridges.
We would often stop to watch the bad skaters - kids come from miles around to mis-execute their finest skateboard tricks; I don't think I ever once saw any of them perfectly execute a stunt. They are bad skaters.
