Michael Martin, "Lil' Red," Angola, Louisiana 10 - 1999

Deborah Luster made "Lil' Red" in Angola, Louisiana using the tintype process, which renders the image in dreamy blacks and yellows, with the look of something recalled from the distant past. The surface has imperfections and scratches, but this only adds to its beauty. There is something incredibly human about the way it feels, both fragile and resilient. I am particularly drawn to the slight blur around the edges. It gives the impression that the subject is not fixed but in a state of becoming. There's a softness in the way the light falls on his face, almost as if he is illuminated from within. The whole image reminds me a little bit of Dawoud Bey's portraits, with their similar focus on dignity, respect and the beauty of the everyday. But as with all great art, Luster's photograph stands alone, inviting us to see the world with new eyes and an open heart.