Untitled 1992

Thomas Roma made this untitled photograph using gelatin silver. It’s all about light, right? How it sculpts form, especially in black and white. Here, the way light catches on the hands of the figures, there’s something so sculptural about it. Look at the textures: the smooth planes of the suits, against the wood-paneled wall behind them. The hands are held aloft, palms open. The grain of the photograph itself feels almost tactile. It reminds me that photography is also material, a process. It's not just pointing a camera; it's about darkroom alchemy and chance. You could see the influence of someone like Roy DeCarava in Roma’s work. They both share an approach to photographing the everyday, finding something sacred in the ordinary. Ultimately, Roma's photograph is a testament to the transformative power of art, embracing all its ambiguities.