Late Afternoon, Homeless Assistance Center, Miami 1999

This photograph, taken by Jodi Cobb, captures a scene outside a Homeless Assistance Center in Miami. The material here is light itself, manipulated by the time of day and architectural space. Cobb’s artistry lies in her ability to find composition in the everyday, transforming a liminal space into a study of form and shadow. The sharp delineation between light and dark, the rawness of the cement, and the functional architecture all speak to the realities of urban life and social services. The very act of photographing, the careful framing and timing, is what imbues the scene with meaning. This image isn't about rarefied materials or elaborate processes, but about bearing witness. It reminds us that every photograph is a crafted object, shaped by choices and imbued with social context. Appreciating the “making” of an image like this allows us to see the world with greater awareness.