‘The rain in São Paulo makes everything so cinematic’: Simone Arruda’s finest cellphone image | Images

“São Paulo is a place that we love and hate,” says Simone Arruda of her Brazilian residence metropolis. “And anyone who knows it knows that when it rains, everything turns to chaos.”

Arruda took this shot at rush hour on a soggy March night. She was heading residence through Brás station, “a massive hub in a neighbourhood that is always extremely busy due to its intense commerce”, she says.

Packed between drained, moist commuters, she noticed those that had already secured a trip residence by means of the prepare window. While the colors and distinction drew her eye, it was the human scene that made her carry her cellphone.

“I love capturing people reading, because it represents a moment of introspection, a bit of peace amid all the hustle and bustle,” she says. “Also, the upwards glance of the woman on the right guides my eyes straight to the red light, signifying that the doors are closing. It’s as if she’s thinking, ‘Finally, this train is going to move,’ so there’s an element of solace here, too.”

Arruda stayed true to the ambiance of the scene when making use of minor saturation and sharpness changes. “I always avoid exaggeration,” she says. “I never want to make things look artificial or alter their true essence. While the rain brings chaos, it also makes everything so cinematic. I’m proud of where I’m from.”