Colorado c. 1973

Robert Adams captured this black and white photograph, ‘Colorado,’ sometime in the late twentieth century. It depicts a kitchen scene complete with reflective surfaces and right angles galore. I can imagine Adams carefully composing the shot, playing with light to capture every mundane detail, from the rotary phone and the coffee percolator to the little sign that reads, 'Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?'. The graininess of the black and white adds a layer of nostalgia and melancholy. It almost feels like a stage set, paused mid-scene. The contrast between the shiny surfaces and the matte textures creates a stark and unsettling atmosphere. This reminds me of other photographers like Stephen Shore and his images of American banality. Adams invites us to reflect on the intersection of faith, consumerism, and the American landscape, a theme that resonates throughout his body of work. The picture is quiet, yet full of subtle narratives.