Untitled 1991

This "Untitled" photograph was taken by Thomas Roma and printed on a 9 1/2 × 12 13/16 inch sheet. Roma probably captured this image using the available light. You can sense that he didn’t want to interfere. The composition is so raw and the light is flat. The act of capturing the image has recorded a very touching scene where figures are touching in what seems to be a church. I think of other photographers such as Roy DeCarava, who were also interested in capturing quiet moments in black and white, but Roma has a more direct approach. I'm trying to imagine what it was like for Roma to be present at this event with his camera. I imagine he was silent and respectful. When he developed the image in the dark room, he probably noticed all these different tonalities in the image. In the end, artists are in an ongoing conversation. Roma shows me something very special in this picture. He allows us to witness a spiritual and tender moment.