Untitled (photograph of "The Party Dress": woman seated in elaborate dress) c. 1940

This photograph, taken by Paul Gittings, captures a woman seated in an elaborate dress. It's a silver gelatin print – a process that involves coating paper with light-sensitive silver halides, a common technique in the darkroom. What strikes me about this image is the contrast between the seemingly effortless elegance of the subject, and the labor-intensive processes that would have been necessary to make the dress, photograph, and print. We get a sense of the intense work that went into the dress, considering the ruffles and the fabric. Similarly, there is the careful work in the darkroom. The photographer’s expertise in lighting, composition, and developing the print are not always apparent, yet crucial. By focusing on the materiality and processes involved, we appreciate the social and economic context in which the image was created. This challenges traditional notions of fine art, and asks us to consider the value of craft, design, and labor in understanding its meaning.