Robert “Chino” Montalvo and Baby (Lower West Side series) 1992

Milton Rogovin made this photograph, "Robert 'Chino' Montalvo and Baby," as part of his Lower West Side series. It’s a study in grays, each shade carrying its own weight, from the soft glow on the baby's face to the darker tones of the father's denim jeans. Look at how Rogovin plays with light. Notice the detail on the shelf behind them, filled with figurines, each a tiny story. Then, your eye is drawn to the baby’s tiny shoes and the way the laces are tied – or not. Those small gestures, barely there, bring a sense of intimacy. Rogovin reminds me of Walker Evans, but with a tender touch. There’s an honesty here, a quiet observation of daily life. Art isn't always about shouting; sometimes, it's about listening closely. Rogovin’s photographs are like a quiet conversation, inviting us to see the beauty in the ordinary.