Angela West, St. Gabriel, Louisiana 25 - 1999

This is Deborah Luster’s photograph of Angela West, taken in St. Gabriel, Louisiana. It’s a small plate, just 5 by 4 inches—like holding a moment in the palm of your hand. I imagine Luster, with her camera and portable darkroom, setting up to capture this image. The patience of it all! The black backdrop throws Angela’s face into relief, and the light gives a sepia tint to her pale skin and hair. The way Angela looks at the camera is very direct and calm. Her eyes are so clear; she doesn't seem to be hiding anything. Maybe she's thinking about her life there in St. Gabriel, or maybe she's just present in that moment, letting Luster do her work. Photographers like Luster and painters like me—we are all in conversation, trying to capture something real, something true about being here.