Untitled 1991

This is an untitled photograph by Thomas Roma. Look at the way the light and shadow play across the scene, creating a landscape of tonal variation. I find myself drawn into the moment, witnessing the intensity of the singer as she belts out a song. The photograph is rich with texture, from the rough surface of the church walls to the soft fabric of the singer’s dress. The contrast between light and dark creates a palpable sense of depth, pulling me into the space of the image. There's a strong verticality, from the standing microphone to the keyboard player, and even the American flag in the background, which gives it a kind of structure. And yet the image is unstable and full of emotion, and you get the sense of a world that is constantly in flux. It reminds me a little of the work of Roy DeCarava, particularly his images of jazz musicians. Both artists share a deep respect for their subjects and a willingness to embrace ambiguity and complexity. For me, this image really captures the feeling of being in a particular moment in time, the sense of life as an ongoing process.