This fellow was blocking half of the stairwell to a platform at the City Hall subway station. He carried what looked like a clipboard and stood waiting for people to enter or leave the steps to the platform. He would nod to those who passed him, and if he caught their eye, he would say something. I do not know what he wanted – everyone who passed him ignored his request. I saw this woman approach and pass him as well, and caught the pair in silhouette the moment before he seems to be making a futile pitch from behind. The image is rich in tension because of the negative space that appears between the inside of the woman’s arm and her body, between the outside of her arm and the railing, and between the railing and the man. I abstract the scene by backlighting it, metering on the bright light over the steps and throwing everything else into silhouette.