I had started to do a really quick reply to this, a simple "I don't really like it because XX," and then I looked at it some more.
Ok, first off, I still don't like it. But there are (a) some good things about it; (b) some things which can be improved; (c) some things which can be learned. So while I say, overall, I don't like this picture, here are some more thoughts:
First off, as it's shot this picture isn't particularly -of- anything. It's a side shot of the back end of a building. Unless the picture goes specifically with something - text, say, about the building, there's just not enough a subject there to draw my attention and hold it. If the building is the thing, I'd move around - maybe towards the front of it.
Subject is so important, and can make up for a lot. Look, we've all shot lame subject-less photos (check my site today for the lead image - not really -of- anything). So there's nothing to be upset about. The easiest thing you could have done here is wait a couple of minutes and let someone pass by in the light. You could end up with an interesting silhouette, or a blurred figure, or something, which would add a specific point of interest here. That point of interest is key -- it's giving the veiwer something to look at.
You've also got two things in the frame which annoy me: that light over the fence, and the upstairs window. Burn down at least the upstairs window, and compose the image differently to avoid the back light. I tried briefly to crop some of it out, but it ended up horribly vertical. So when you're shooting, as you look through the lens sometimes think to yourself whether or not you want to, and if there are ways, to simply the elements of your photo.
That said, Blue Coyote Laughing had a great post (
http://bluecoyotelaughing.typepad.com/bcl/2005/09/a_change_in_sig.html) about cluttered graphical elements a still yielding strong pictures. Check out here thoughts.
I think this could also be in black and white, and might benefit. Also, try a longer shutter speed -- I don't know what you have here, but a longer speed might make some of the lights more interesting and would yield more detail in the image.
There's a lot of technical corrections/improvements that can be made. I actually like the foreground here - I think the leading lines/textures are interesting. But the big thing is subject - work out what you're shooting, the thing you want to photograph, and concentrate on how to emphasize it.
Hope some of this helps...
