Untitled 1992

This black and white photograph of a church interior was taken by Thomas Roma, though when exactly remains a mystery. I am drawn to how the image captures such raw emotion with such sharp clarity, a real testament to the photographers’ technical mastery. The subjects are tightly packed into the frame, and the monochrome palette accentuates the textures of their clothing and the peeling paint on the walls, all rendered in meticulous detail. The focus, however, is undoubtedly the young man in the foreground, his face contorted in an expression of what I can only describe as profound religious ecstasy. His hands are raised to his face as if shielding himself from some divine light. This powerful gesture resonates throughout the image. The woman in the foreground seems to be looking on with a mixture of concern and reverence. This piece reminds me a lot of the work of Diane Arbus and her unflinching portrayal of human experience, but also speaks to the universal human need for meaning and connection. It’s a powerful image that lingers in the mind long after you’ve seen it.