Untitled (three girls in front of Christmas tree) c. 1950

Editor: So this is an untitled photograph by John Howell, showing three girls in front of a Christmas tree. It’s small, only about 5 by 4 inches, and the negative effect gives it a slightly spooky vibe. What do you make of it? Curator: The reversal certainly heightens the drama, doesn't it? But for me, it’s more about memory and the way light plays tricks on our minds. Christmas, especially from a child's perspective, is all about anticipation and wonder. It’s like Howell is capturing a dream. Editor: A dream...I like that. It makes me see it in a completely new way. Curator: Maybe the spookiness is just the edge of excitement, before we fully understood the world. Editor: Exactly! It's a bittersweet feeling, now that you point it out. Thanks!