Few people did more to shape the face of modern, post-Revolution Mexican cinema than cinematographer Gabriel Figueroa, whose keen eye and artistry won honors at film festivals in Venice, Cannes, and Berlin throughout his long career. This photograph, shot by Luis Márquez during the filming of the 1948 movie Salón México, emulates Figueroa’s exceptional ability to meld dramatic lighting and scenery. Gloriously atmospheric, this dark, smoky scene, punctuated by the flash of fireworks, captures the joyous chaos of a street celebration.