St. Gabriel, Louisiana 30 - 1999

Deborah Luster made this tintype, St. Gabriel, Louisiana, using a photographic process popular in the 19th century. Imagine her in the darkroom, preparing the plate, coating it with chemicals, and then carefully positioning her subject in front of the lens. The light captures the woman's face and hands, preserved in sepia tones, as if pulled from the past. What was Luster thinking? Maybe about the history of photography itself? This image has a quiet, contemplative mood. The woman’s hands are clasped, and her gaze is direct yet gentle. Look at the texture of the plate, the imperfections, the scratches—they add a layer of depth and history. It reminds me of other artists who have explored themes of memory and identity through portraiture like Rineke Dijkstra who uses photography as a means of psychological exploration. Artists are constantly in conversation, finding new ways to see and represent the world. They allow us to look closer, think deeper, and feel more.