"$," Transylvania, Louisiana 1999

Deborah Luster’s 1999 photograph "$," Transylvania, Louisiana, is a compelling portrait of a young man with a tattoo of a cross and dollar signs on his chest. Luster’s work focuses on exploring themes of identity, race, and class in the American South, often utilizing photographic techniques that evoke 19th-century tintypes, such as a muted color palette and a soft focus. This image highlights the complex relationship between faith and material desire in contemporary society.