portrait or landscape?

[SmartWombat]

Quite apart from the lighting contrast, the hardest part was catching the wind at the right moment to show the flag flying over the embassy.

[caleb]

I prefer 1, this is where RAW and photomatix exposure blending is really worth it's money

[OldClicker]

I prefer the landscape. From this perspective the legs look too long and there is nothing else in the bottom half. - TF

[SmartWombat]

Even with shooting in RAW, this scene exceeds the dynamic range of the camera.
So photomatrix wouldn't help here.
Multiple exposures with exposure bracketing would help, but not handheld, I'd have to use a tripod - and the police around the embassy wouldn't allow that.

[Bakerman35]

I also prefer the first one. The bottom of the building is too distracting for me. Great shot.

[Cathathome]

I choose Portrait (2nd one) - the statue has a stronger sense of place.

Ta,

Cath