Appalachia (Working People series) 1981

This black and white photograph, Appalachia, from Milton Rogovin’s Working People series, captures a mother and child in their home, and it’s all about the details. The greyscale gives a flattening effect, but the surfaces have so much texture they almost feel 3D. Look at the wall paneling, the plaid sofa, the lace on that doll! Rogovin’s choice to shoot in black and white emphasizes the contrast in textures, from the soft, worn fabric of their clothes to the harder surfaces of the radio and wall. The light seems to hit everything evenly. And that little kid with their hand on their face! The kid looks less than enthused to be having their photo taken. It really brings out a sense of intimacy, like we are being welcomed into this domestic space and the small, everyday dramas playing out there. It reminds me of some of the stark interiors of Dorothea Lange, but with a tenderness all its own. It’s a quiet piece, but it speaks volumes.