Untitled (two girls standing together in front of window) after 1940

This photograph, taken by Paul Gittings, captures two young girls posed in front of a window. Photography is a medium that’s intrinsically tied to technology and chemistry. The silver gelatin print process, employed here, involves coating paper with light-sensitive silver halides, exposing it to light through a negative, and then chemically developing the latent image. Each stage demands precision, from mixing chemicals to controlling exposure times. The subtle tonal range and sharpness achievable with this technique speaks to the level of skill required. Every detail, from the girls' dresses to the window frame, is carefully rendered. Consider the social context, too. Photography democratized portraiture, making it accessible to a wider range of people. This image offers a glimpse into a specific time and place, capturing the material culture and social norms of the era. By recognizing the interplay of materials, process, and context, we can appreciate photography’s significance in both art and everyday life.