Store Front Churches, Buffalo 1958 - 1961

Milton Rogovin made this black and white photograph, part of his Store Front Churches series in Buffalo, NY. The image hovers between clarity and blur, focusing on a foot operating the pedal of an organ. The limited tonal range makes you look closer; the textures of the wooden floorboards and the shiny shoe give it away. Look how the slow shutter speed renders the action; Rogovin wasn't interested in stopping time but capturing the feeling of music. Rogovin’s photographs remind me a little bit of Walker Evans, especially in their documentary style and the way they invite you to contemplate everyday scenes. Both artists share an interest in capturing the essence of American life. Ultimately, Rogovin's photograph is an invitation to listen, to sense the rhythm, and to find the sacred in the ordinary.