Jackie (Lower West Side series) 1974

Milton Rogovin made this photograph, Jackie (Lower West Side series), as part of a wider project portraying everyday people. Rogovin’s approach is direct, but tender, finding something special in the details of ordinary life. Here, the grey tones flatten the image, turning it almost into a drawing. The textures are so powerful though: the brickwork, the peeling paint, Jackie’s knitted sweater and those amazing shoes! The light picks out the graffiti, turning what could be dismissed as meaningless scribbles into an extension of Jackie's image, part of his story. Look at his hands. They are brought together in a gesture of either nervousness or composure. Perhaps both? Rogovin doesn’t try to give us all the answers, but instead invites us to stop and think about the lives of others. Reminds me of the quiet but powerful images made by Walker Evans. It's like Rogovin is saying, ‘Hey, look at this person. Really look.’