Colombo, 2006, in Main Street, the Pettah Possibly 2006 - 2014

Leo Rubinfien captured this black and white photograph in Colombo, Sri Lanka, back in 2006. I’m thinking about the bodies, how they’re arranged, and the way we see them. Rubinfien is right in there, surrounded by this sea of faces. It’s a very particular kind of looking - like the painter's consideration of edges and boundaries. He’s not just observing; he’s immersed. The way the light filters through the scene, creates a sense of depth, and casts shadows on the faces, it’s pretty incredible. In a way, the light is the true subject. Each face is captured so honestly, each with its own story. There's a feeling of connection, and a shared humanity. It reminds me of the work of other street photographers like Garry Winogrand or Helen Levitt, artists who found beauty and meaning in everyday life. Photography is a way of engaging with the world, isn't it? Seeing, capturing, and sharing. It’s a conversation.