Untitled (couple posed in studio for portrait, man in military uniform) c. 1945

Editor: This photograph, "Untitled (couple posed in studio for portrait, man in military uniform)," by John Deusing, features a formally posed couple. It's a striking image, almost dreamlike with its reversed tones. What's your take on it? Curator: It feels like a memory, doesn't it? The inverted tones lend a ghostly quality, yet there's such intentionality in their posture. It’s like a stage set, a constructed reality. Perhaps they're playing a role, both for the camera and for themselves. What do you think their story is? Editor: Maybe a newlywed couple about to face uncertain times, based on his uniform. Curator: Exactly. It reminds us that every photograph holds a story far beyond what meets the eye. A bittersweet concoction of hope and longing, captured in a moment.