Photo Analysis: Cable Car

What works well:

The leading lines are pretty good, the foreground tram rails pull you right into the photo and stretch all the way up the hill, giving the whole image an incredible sense of depth. They also create a strong visual flow.
The perspective is also very nice, you have that long, vertical stretch of the road disappearing into the distance, which gives the photo a very surreal/almost ‘‘impossible’’ look. It is definitely one of those shots that just feels like San Francisco (not just because of the cable car ;)).
Framing-wise, it is solid. The cable car sits right in the middle, working as an anchor while the rest of the scene happens around it.
In general there is a nice ‘‘rhythm’’ in the composition, so the repeating lines of the street, the tracks/cables, and the cars all give it a steady beat that keeps your eyes moving.

What could be better:

Shooting from a slightly lower angle could have exaggerated the leading lines even more, though to be fair doing so might have risked losing visibility of the street in the background, which is one of the best parts of this shot (so always take a few more options than you think, in the end you can always choose what works best).
The left side of the image feels just a bit heavier, between two driving cars right next to the cable car, that overhead street sign, and the trees in the distance, it is slightly more cluttered than the right. Not a dealbreaker of course, but it tips the balance slightly.
The darkened foreground hides some of the road texture that could have added a bit more of a ‘‘tactile’’ feel.

What works well:

The lighting feels really natural and well-balanced, it is giving late-afternoon city light where everything is still visible, but the headlights and taillights start to glow. All that makes it a touch more cinematic.
The subtle reflections on the tram rails (more prominent in the distance) are beautiful and help carve out the light in an otherwise relatively muted scene + it obviously exaggerates the leading line effect, helping to guide the viewer’s eye.
The atmosphere overall feels busy but not too chaotic, which fits the mood and light.

What could be better:

The shadows are a bit heavy in certain areas, especially on the sides of the background (and again a bit the foreground). Lifting them just a little would help bring back some texture and detail without ruining the mood.
The tram could use a touch more contrast or light (just a little bit though) since it is the natural focal point, but right now it blends slightly into the darker tones around it.
The car headlights on the left side are quite bright and grab too much attention. Toning those down in post would have helped keep the focus on the tram a bit more