Angola, Louisiana 31 - 1999

Deborah Luster made this small photograph "Angola, Louisiana," using the tintype process, which is a kind of direct positive on a metal plate. What I love about tintypes is their handmade quality. Each one is unique, with its own imperfections and subtle variations. In this portrait, the combination of the process with the subject's bold pose is just great. Look at the texture of the metal, its sheen, and the way the light catches on the surface and those tiny scratches. The tonal range is compressed, giving everything a sort of aged, dreamy feeling. It’s like looking at a memory. There’s a directness and intimacy to this image that reminds me of August Sander's portraits. While both artists documented specific social groups, Luster's work has a more personal and poetic feel, due to the nature of the process. Both ask us to consider how we see each other and the stories we tell about ourselves through images. Ultimately, art is about connection, and this image invites us to connect with someone we might not otherwise meet.