Untitled (portrait of woman in glasses holding bouquet of flowers) c. 1940

This is an untitled photographic portrait by Paul Gittings, showing a woman with glasses and a bouquet. This image is not the final positive print, but the negative on which it was based. Its stark contrast of light and dark, enhanced by the transparent material of the negative, emphasizes the technical processes that underpin photography. The act of capturing an image, developing the negative, and producing a print involves a complex interplay of light, chemicals, and skilled labor. Think of all the hands involved in making these materials and manufacturing the equipment. What is fascinating here is the directness of the image, which allows us to consider the woman's life, her possible profession, and social class, as it captures a sense of her presence and personality. The portrait aesthetic invites consideration of the labor and artistry involved in photography. Seeing the negative rather than the positive reminds us that photography is not a purely objective act, but a process of interpretation and representation.