Light is funny stuff, polarized light is even funnier.
When using a polarizer, light polarized on one axis is blocked, light polarized around 90 degrees differently passes. All that shifts around as the filter is rotated.
As polarized light reflects off some (maybe all) surfaces, its polarization shifts.
In a situation like the photos above, there are multiple reflective surfaces, so, there will be multiple polarized angles involved.
While there is no way that I can evaluate what polarizations were present in the shots above, it might have been possible, for example, to reduce the prominence of the upper, through the building window lights while at the same time enhancing the reflections off of the front of the building. Objects just inside the building face may have remained visible, maybe not.
With so many reflective surfaces, I think there were a lot of possibilities.
The only thing one could have done, had a polarizer been available, would have been to experiment, see what effects were possible, probably shoot several combinations, choose according to taste later.
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Before considering buying a CP for a 24mm or wider lens, see this page......
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Circular-Polarizer-Filters.aspx
Note especially the comments regarding
The 90° angle and also
Uneven Skies.
The uneven skies phenomenon occurs because the lens allows in such a wide angle field of view that there is a polarization change across the scene. Note also that the area filtered by the polarizer can be shifted for sometimes pleasing end results.
I'm not expecting the same gratification regarding sky effects when using a polarizer on a 24mm as I have experienced with longer focal lengths.
Farther down on the page is a photo of a boat including some sky and many surfaces both curved, angled and flat. Mouse over the text directly beneath the boat to see effects of the polarizer. Also keep in mind that anywhere between is possible, that's the photographer's creative choice.
The principles demonstrated in that boat photo are those I expect might well have been available for experimentation in the photos above.
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Yes indeed, the snow on the steps in the first shot does add to the overall image and pleasantly.
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