Casablanca, 2004, in a back street Possibly 2004 - 2014

In 2004, Leo Rubinfien captured this photograph, Casablanca, in a back street, using what looks like a traditional black and white film. What I love about black and white photography is the way it encourages us to see the world in tones and textures, it emphasizes the ways that light describes a form. Look at the details in the older man's face, every line and wrinkle tells a story, right? The way the light catches the lenses of his glasses creates these little pools of reflection. It’s almost as if you could fall into them. His patterned shirt contrasts so sharply with the soft focus of the crowd behind him. This tension between the foreground and background, sharp focus and soft focus, makes the picture. It reminds me of some of the images of Lisette Model, who wasn't afraid to get up close and personal with her subjects, showing all the raw and unfiltered reality of life. There's no fixed meaning, just a moment captured, inviting endless stories.