Untitled (Storefront Churches series) 1958 - 1961

This black and white photograph is by Milton Rogovin, part of his Storefront Churches series. Looking at it, I am drawn to the woman's face, the angle from below really gives her stature. I imagine Rogovin positioning himself, waiting to capture just the right moment of energy, of the message being shared. I like how the soft focus blurs the background, and the texture of her hat contrasts against the smooth surface of her large framed glasses. There’s a tension between capturing the essence of the place and the people who occupy it. The picture really shows a moment of devotion. Rogovin's images remind me of the street photography of Helen Levitt, in the way both artists find beauty and meaning in everyday scenes. He is capturing something special. It’s like he’s saying, look at this, look at us.