Untitled (proof print: woman and girl flanked by older couple) c. 1950s

Editor: This is an untitled proof print by Martin Schweig, showing a family portrait. It's fascinating to see the annotations on the print itself. What stands out to you about it? Curator: Well, considering it's a proof print, I'm immediately drawn to the materiality and process. The photographer's studio, as indicated, was a site of labor, a place where the means of image production are laid bare. How does the "proof" designation change our perception of the image's finality? Editor: That's a great question. I hadn't considered the implications of it being a work in progress. I suppose it reveals the labor behind the image. Curator: Exactly. It challenges the idea of photography as purely representational, highlighting the active role of the photographer and the material processes involved in creating a seemingly straightforward family portrait. It's less about capturing a moment and more about the business of image-making itself. Editor: I see what you mean! Thanks.