Untitled (two boys in fishing outfits with fishing pole posed on shag prop) c. 1940

This silver gelatin print, "Untitled (two boys in fishing outfits with fishing pole posed on shag prop)," was created by Paul Gittings. The stark contrast immediately catches the eye, with the subjects almost glowing against a dark backdrop. The texture of the shag prop beneath their bare feet creates a tactile counterpoint to the smooth faces of the boys and their attire. The composition is rigidly structured, with the fishing pole acting as a strong vertical axis. Gittings presents us not with a candid snapshot, but a constructed image. He places his subjects on a stage, carefully arranging them for the camera. This sense of artifice invites us to question the relationship between photography and reality. Ultimately, it’s the deliberate and controlled use of light, texture, and form that speaks to the image's enduring presence. The photograph is a visual construction, inviting us to consider the staged nature of photographic representation.