"J," Transylvania, Louisiana 1999

"J" is a 1999 photograph by Deborah Luster, part of her series "Transylvania, Louisiana," which explores the lives and experiences of African Americans in a rural Louisiana community. This intimate portrait captures a young man, J, in a close-up composition, showcasing his thoughtful gaze and the prominent religious symbol of a cross he wears. Luster's use of sepia tones and a simple backdrop highlights the subject's presence and provides a poignant glimpse into the lives of those often marginalized within the American South.