Casablanca, 2004, at the Cafe de France Possibly 2004 - 2014

Leo Rubinfien captured this photograph, *Casablanca, 2004, at the Cafe de France,* using what appears to be a black and white film camera. The shades of grey invite a deep focus on the textures and the emotions that arise between the subjects. I’m really drawn to the way Rubinfien handles light and shadow; it’s as if he’s painting with light. Notice how the graininess softens the sharpness, giving it this timeless feel. The way the light glances off the man's sunglasses and the crisp detail of the street signs, all in shades of grey, gives the photograph a rich sense of place. It's not just about what is seen, but how it’s felt. It reminds me a little of the work of Roy DeCarava, another photographer who found beauty in the everyday, in the quiet moments of life. Art’s like that, a conversation across time, where each artist builds on what came before, adding their own voice. There’s no one ‘right’ way to see it, and that’s the beauty of it.