London, 2004, in Oxford Circus Possibly 2004 - 2014

This is a black and white photograph made by Leo Rubinfien in 2004, taken in Oxford Circus, London. Rubinfien used traditional photographic processes to capture the image. The tonal range of the black and white print is really important here. Rubinfien has captured the stark contrast between the man and the bright, white wall behind him. The light emphasizes the man's features and the texture of his clothes. This is important because it highlights the physical reality of the subject, while the setting situates him in the public space of global commerce, hinting at social and economic issues connected to labor and urban life. Photography, like many crafts, is tied to social and economic factors through the labor involved in production, and the accessibility of the medium. Ultimately, Rubinfien’s choice of materials and processes are crucial to how we understand the work's meaning, blurring the lines between fine art photography and social documentation.