Back Porch Tommy, Chicago 1965

Darryl Cowherd made this photograph, Back Porch Tommy, Chicago, date unknown, presumably with a camera. It's a study in contrasts, black and white, figure and ground, presence and absence. I'm immediately drawn to the starkness of the composition, how the solid form of the figure is silhouetted against the bright, almost empty sky. It’s as if Tommy is a dark mass, anchoring the image, while the sky is infinite potential. The light doesn't seem to soften, and the edges are strong. You can almost feel the heat of the sun. The wood of the porch is heavily present in the composition too, it’s weight balanced against the dark figure. Then, there’s that tiny detail, the little bun on Tommy’s head, a small focal point amidst the larger forms. This photograph reminds me of Roy DeCarava’s work, particularly in its use of shadow and light to create mood and atmosphere. Both artists were masters of black and white photography, using it to capture the nuances of everyday life. It's up to us to find our own way.