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

Leo Rubinfien made this gelatin silver print, Colombo, 2006, in Main Street, the Pettah. It's striking how the grayscale tones are used here to construct a mood, a feel. You know, it’s like the image is built from light and shadow, a process of revealing and concealing. Look at the eyes of the central figure; they’re so sharp, clear, pulling you in. Then, the faces in the background seem almost like ghosts, fading in and out. I’m always curious about what artists choose to focus on, what they leave blurry or out of frame. It’s all about guiding your eye, creating a pathway for your attention. It makes you wonder about what's seen and unseen. Rubinfien’s photographs remind me a bit of Garry Winogrand’s work, that same street photography vibe, capturing moments of everyday life. Ultimately, this photograph feels less about documenting a specific place and more about capturing the human condition, the shared experience of navigating the world together.