It's 3:00 a.m. No way to sleep. Imaginary bedbugs chewing at me. The air is oppressive, like being buried alive. The cries of asthmatic children sniffling, screaming, sleep-talking keeps me on edge. In semi-darkness I wander among the beds, seeing mothers wrapped around their babies, like bears in hibernation. In one lower bunk, I find an exhausted mother, Pam, rocking her wailing week-old daughter. Pams face glows with inner peace. She is one of the lucky ones. She escaped an abusive relationship and found shelter here. Olive Branch Mission, Chicago. 1999

Donna Ferrato made this photograph, "It's 3:00 a.m..." with a camera and film, capturing a moment in a Chicago shelter. The grayscale palette isn't just about the absence of color, it's a deep dive into tone, shadow, and texture, transforming a documentary photograph into something more intimate and internal. The strength of this piece lies in Ferrato’s ability to make form from tough subject matter. The textures throughout are so rich, from the mother’s worn t-shirt, to the soft skin of her newborn. Look closely at the way the light gently illuminates Pam’s face, highlighting the planes and contours. It’s like a chiaroscuro painting, but in real life. Ferrato has a knack for using light and shadow to create an emotional landscape. The image reminds me of the photographs of Dorothea Lange, not so much formally but in terms of their intent and the nature of a socially conscious art practice. Like all good art, the image lingers in your mind, inviting multiple interpretations.