Antoinette Ford, St. Gabriel, Louisiana 15 - 2000

Editor: This is Deborah Luster’s photograph, "Antoinette Ford, St. Gabriel, Louisiana," created between 1995 and 2000. The low key lighting definitely gives it a pensive, maybe even melancholic feel. What catches your eye when you look at this portrait? Curator: For me, it’s that gentle gaze. It reminds me of old daguerreotypes, those haunting portraits from the 19th century. You know, it makes you wonder about the stories etched in Antoinette's face, living in St. Gabriel, Louisiana. I'd imagine the camera has its own truth to tell. What do you suppose her life is like? Editor: I hadn't thought about that historical connection. The lighting and simple composition do feel reminiscent of older photographic techniques. Do you think that choice was intentional, to perhaps evoke a sense of history or timelessness? Curator: Absolutely! Luster's choice of medium, combined with that specific lighting, speaks volumes. Perhaps it's a way of connecting Antoinette’s present with her ancestral past, the stories of countless African Americans who've called Louisiana home. Maybe she is saying, "I'm here and always will be". And maybe also telling us something we haven't thought about yet. What does it conjure for you? Editor: I guess that framing provides context, like viewing history through a specific lens. I initially only focused on the subject's immediate expression. I see a narrative unfolding within. Curator: Precisely. Photography freezes a moment but implies a whole universe of stories. Editor: I learned so much more about the context by thinking about photographic tradition. Thanks for sharing! Curator: My pleasure! And I have you to thank for making me appreciate anew the layers embedded in a seemingly simple portrait.