Exercise 20: Busy traffic

In contrast to the usually-empty place from the last project, some locations are almost always busy, with a constant flow of traffic.
Exercise 20 asks to choose a busy location, interior or exterior, and find a viewpoint that will give a satisfying composition as well as a good sense of the nature and function of the space.
I am supposed to spend some time watching how the flow of people works — the patterns they make, any surges or lulls in movement and numbers — and how this can contribute to the composition of the shot.
According to the brief, I should aim to show the ‘busyness’ of the place, which might involve altering the composition, perhaps changing the focal length of lens, or experimenting with a slow exposure.

f 3.5, 1/45 sec, ISO 200, 18 mm 

The previous exercise concentrated on just placing a single figure in the frame, this one involved including as many as possible to show the busy nature of a place.
I like this shot for its sense of being amongst the action.
People are sufficiently well defined to emphasise the contrast between the static and moving subjects and, as I am rather close to them, there is actually more movement.
I believe that in the case of crowd scenes motion blur gives a better impression of business when you are in amongst it (or at least quite close).
Elevation reduces the effect further by emphasising floor space.
I start to feel very self-conscious in photographing people.
I  also realise that it is not only the people in themselves that attract me but also the patterns and shapes they make in the environment.