Manila, 2005, in a back street, Ermita Possibly 2005 - 2014

Leo Rubinfien’s photograph, "Manila, 2005, in a back street, Ermita", captures a crowded street scene in stark black and white. The composition is immediately striking due to its shallow depth of field, which throws elements into sharp focus and others into soft abstraction. This intentional blurring forces our eyes to navigate a hierarchy of visual information. The central woman’s face, sharply lit and framed by surrounding figures, becomes the focal point. Rubinfien uses the contrast between light and shadow, particularly the bar of light across her face, to heighten the emotional tension. This contrast not only sculpts her features but also suggests a deeper sense of scrutiny and exposure. The surrounding blurred figures create a sense of claustrophobia, accentuating the woman’s isolation within the crowd. The high contrast and tight cropping contribute to a sense of immediacy and rawness, inviting viewers to contemplate themes of visibility, anonymity, and the complexities of urban existence.