Untitled 1993

This black and white photograph by Thomas Roma captures a moment in time, a slice of life, maybe in a church somewhere. I imagine Roma, camera in hand, trying to be invisible, trying to capture the essence of this gathering. What was he thinking as he snapped the shutter? Was he moved by the piety of the scene? I find myself wondering about the men in suits, their faces etched with seriousness, holding those collection baskets. The image is a study in contrasts, light and shadow playing across the faces and clothing of the subjects. The graininess adds a layer of texture, giving it a tactile quality. The composition is interesting, too. I am thinking about the way the figures are arranged in space, creating a sense of depth and movement. It reminds me a little of the way Rembrandt used light to create drama and emotion. Artists are always in conversation, aren’t they? Reaching across time and space to inspire one another. This photograph is a moment of embodied expression.