I love this photograph—showing the dignity in a construction worker. This man uses his strength and knowledge to do terrifically difficult work. Yet we feel his intense focus together with ease.
The man’s face, with its determination, is framed by his arms, his long horizontal crowbar, and the huge vertical pilings on the right. His muscular right arm is powerful, while his left leans against one piling for support. Amid all this intensity, we feel a calm confidence in him. A warm light glows on his arms and hardhat, which I feel brings our attention not only to his strong body but also his mind, and relates them.
As a woman whose work as a project manager takes me to many construction sites, I’m grateful to Allan Michael for encouraging respect for men, labor, and all people through this meaningful photograph.
—Gina Buffone