New York 1987

Rosalind Solomon's photograph, New York, captures an intimate moment, the tender embrace of a mother kissing her son. The high contrast of the black and white image emphasizes the emotional depth of the scene. I imagine Solomon carefully positioning herself, waiting for the right moment to press the shutter, capturing this complex interaction. The graininess adds a sense of texture, almost like we can feel the fabric of their clothes, the warmth of the sun on their skin. I think she's maybe trying to figure out how to portray emotions that are hard to put into words – love, concern, vulnerability. It makes me think about my own relationships, the unspoken dialogues we have with those closest to us. Painters often use layers of color and brushstrokes to build up meaning. Here, Solomon uses light and shadow, and the composition itself, to convey feeling. Just like in painting, the final image is the result of many decisions, each one adding to the overall impact. Artists are always in conversation, no matter their medium, borrowing and building on each other’s ideas.