Jeppe St cnr West Ferreiras-Dorp; Market St cnr Kort St Marshaltown; Marshall St Johannesburg Central

The photograph captures three streets in Johannesburg’s inner city and adjacent neighborhoods: Jeppe Street corner West Street in Ferreiras‑Dorp, Market Street corner Kort Street in Marshaltown, and Marshall Street in Johannesburg Central. These streets reflect layers of the city’s history, from early commercial activity and residential life to the post-apartheid changes in occupation and use.

Ractliffe’s composition emphasizes atmosphere over detail. Buildings, street surfaces, and signage are softly rendered, with occasional blurred movement suggesting human presence and the city in transition. The panoramic sweep of the image invites the viewer to follow the streets visually, experiencing their flow and interconnection.

Rather than presenting a fixed or idealized view, the photograph highlights the streets as lived spaces, where architecture, commerce, and social life intersect. Today, these areas continue to evolve, with heritage buildings, small businesses, and informal activity coexisting. Ractliffe’s work invites reflection on this ongoing transformation, showing these streets as both specific locations and as examples of Johannesburg’s layered and dynamic urban environment.