Untitled (men in telephone booths) c. 1950

Editor: This is Jack Gould's "Untitled (men in telephone booths)," a small black and white photograph. The row of men in identical poses feels so staged, almost surreal. What formal qualities stand out to you? Curator: The photograph's most striking feature lies in its repetitive structure. The vertical lines of the telephone booths create a grid, framing each figure individually, while the inverted tonality lends a spectral quality. Editor: Spectral? Curator: Yes, observe how the reversal of light and dark disrupts our conventional understanding of form and space, drawing attention to the photograph's surface and the medium itself. The Kodak Safety Film markings also become an integral part of the composition. Don’t you agree? Editor: I see what you mean. It’s less about the men and more about the interplay of light and line. Thanks!