Jacksonville, Florida c. 1960s

Anthony Barboza made this gelatin silver print, Jacksonville, Florida. The world is rendered in tones of light and dark – every form exists as an interplay of shadow and illumination. Looking at the faces of these children, I’m struck by the elder child’s unflinching gaze. What might it have been like to stand before Barboza’s lens? There’s a deep connection between artist and subject, an unspoken understanding and profound respect. See how the younger child clutches a doll, its soft edges a contrast to the angular lines of the wooden planks behind them. Notice how Barboza, influenced by Roy DeCarava’s work, uses light and shadow to emphasize texture, form, and emotional depth. You get a sense of the intimate moment captured, which feels universal. Artists like Barboza offer us different ways of seeing and experiencing the world, inspiring our own creative processes.