Cigarro 2002

"Cigarro" (2002) by Brazilian photographer Miguel Rio Branco is a powerful black and white photograph that captures a moment of quiet contemplation in a dilapidated urban environment. The image depicts a young man sitting on a crumbling wall, his legs dangling, with his head bowed in thought. The starkness of the composition, with its peeling paint and crumbling walls, highlights the harsh realities of poverty and urban decay. The lone figure in the center of the frame provides a poignant counterpoint to the surrounding desolation, creating a sense of human resilience in the face of adversity. Rio Branco's work is renowned for its stark beauty and its unflinching portrayal of social issues. This photograph, like many others in his oeuvre, is a testament to his mastery of the medium and his ability to capture the human condition with both sensitivity and power.