Hubba after 1987

Jim Goldberg made this black and white photograph, Hubba, at an unknown date. The grainy texture reminds us that photography is also about touch and process, not just about capturing a perfect image. Look at the way the light flickers on the hand holding the pipe, like a dance between darkness and illumination. It's a gritty, intimate moment, not shying away from the rawness of life. The composition is stark. The contrast between light and shadow emphasizes the weight of the subject. It’s interesting how Goldberg doesn’t smooth things over; he lets the imperfections speak. The image is an echo of the stark, unflinching portraits by Diane Arbus. Both artists share an ability to find beauty and dignity in the overlooked corners of society. Ultimately, this photograph invites us to see beyond the surface, to find our own way through the complexities of human experience.