The fact that each person is looking in different directions makes this claustrophobic street, packed with people and vehicles, even more menacing. As viewers, we naturally follow the gazes of the people in picture as they criss-cross through the scene. The cloaked woman moving toward us in the center of the picture is the only person looking at us, with only one eye.

In order to make this picture, Peress had to be able to see it happening as the figures moved into these positions, get his camera up and on the right settings, and choose the precise split-second to snap the picture. In much of Peress’ work choosing the right picture really means choosing the right moment to take the picture.