R J, Transylvania, Louisiana 1998

This portrait of R J, Transylvania, Louisiana, was made by Deborah Luster. Looking at it, I am imagining Luster in her darkroom, the ruby light casting long shadows. The tintype has this lovely aged quality, like a daguerreotype from the Civil War. The sepia tones feel both historical and deeply personal. The subject’s gaze is direct, holding a complicated mix of vulnerability and defiance. The shadows create a stark contrast. A face etched with stories, framed by a simple black background. What was he thinking, feeling, as Luster captured this moment? There is a timeless quality to Luster's work. She seems to be connecting to a lineage of portraiture, of seeing and being seen. We see the beauty in the ordinary, the dignity in the marginalized. It reminds me that art is a conversation across time, inspiring us to see the world, and each other, with fresh eyes.