Untitled (studio portrait of man looking at woman who leans back on prop, both in formal attire) after 1940

This black and white photograph of a formally dressed couple was made by Paul Gittings. Photography, particularly portraiture, is an interesting medium because it captures a specific moment in time, yet also involves many layers of production. The photographer must master the technology of the camera and the darkroom, using equipment often manufactured in large factories. And of course, the subjects in the photograph have their own contributions to make: their clothing, their poses, their expressions, all of which speak to the performance of identity. In this image, the couple is dressed in their finest clothes, projecting an air of sophistication and success. Although Gittings is unknown, he or she shows an acute awareness of the techniques needed to produce a work that is both technically proficient and socially meaningful. This image makes us consider the labor, technology, and social norms that come together in the creation of a seemingly simple studio portrait.