Tony Conway, Angola, Louisiana 11 - 1999

This is Tony Conway, Angola, Louisiana, by Deborah Luster. The sepia tone really sets the mood, doesn't it? And those little imperfections around the edges, like the image is eating itself, almost crumbling! It's just incredible to think about what Deborah Luster was thinking, working with these tintypes, in this prison. Imagine her setting up her equipment, mixing chemicals, and coating the plates right there on the spot, in the moment. The dark background really emphasizes the texture, color, surface, and physicality of the medium. The sitter is really present, there's a dialogue happening. I can't help but think about all the artists who have come before, who've used photography, or painting to capture a moment in time, the essence of a person. We are all just in an ongoing conversation, aren’t we? It's about connection, it's about bearing witness.