Bertrand Young, "T.C.," Angola, Louisiana 11 - 1999

Deborah Luster made this tintype, "T.C.," Angola, Louisiana, using a photographic process from the nineteenth century. The image is sepia-toned with the sitter, Bertrand Young, rendered in a yellowish monochrome. The focus isn't on surface texture like in a painting, but on a kind of chemical alchemy that gives the picture a tactile quality all its own. Look closely, and you can see the imperfections, scratches and subtle variations in the plate's surface. The dark, almost velvety background throws the figure into sharp relief. The subject's arms, resting on his lap, form a diagonal that cuts across the frame, creating a sense of depth and intimacy. Luster's work has often focused on individuals within the criminal justice system, a theme not dissimilar to the unflinching portraits of Diane Arbus. Ultimately, like all art, the image remains open to our interpretation.