Untitled (Universal Studios) 1978

Editor: This photograph, "Untitled (Universal Studios)" by Bill Dane, captures two figures gazing out at a cityscape. The high contrast and the composition, with so much empty space above, give it a somewhat detached feeling. What stands out to you? Curator: Observe how Dane utilizes the starkness of black and white to emphasize the geometric forms present. The frame within a frame, created by the edges of the photograph itself and the implied viewpoint, guides our eye. The texture is equally important, especially the contrast between the crisp foreground and the hazy cityscape. Editor: So, you're focusing on how the image is constructed, rather than what it's about? Curator: Precisely. Notice how the limited tonal range contributes to the overall mood and affects our reading of space and form. What do you make of the linear elements versus the amorphous shapes? Editor: I hadn't considered the interplay between those elements. Thanks for pointing that out!