Untitled 1992

This untitled photograph, by Thomas Roma, captures three young men in what looks like a moment of quiet anticipation. The grayscale tones here are so rich, giving each shade its own story, its own weight. It’s the kind of process that makes you realize photography, like any art, is about capturing light and shadow. What strikes me is the texture, the way the light defines the soft wool of their coats against the starkness of the wall. There’s something so tender in how Roma plays with depth here, focusing on the details. Look at the first figure's suit. The subtle gradations of tone makes it come alive. Each shadow tells a story. This reminds me a bit of some of Dawoud Bey's earlier portraits, that same quiet intensity, that same desire to capture the essence of a person in a single frame. It’s a testament to the power of photography to engage with ambiguity. Roma's image makes you feel like you are present in the space with them.