Untitled (portrait of girl dressed as cowgirl with gun, holster and boots) 1954

Paul Gittings created this black and white photographic portrait of a girl dressed as a cowgirl; her image is striking. The contrast between light and dark areas creates a visually arresting effect, heightening the sense of drama and intensity. The composition of the photograph is carefully constructed. The girl is centrally positioned, seated on a cube, which anchors her within the frame. Her attire—the cowgirl boots, holster, and gun—immediately signify a narrative, a playful engagement with the mythology of the Wild West. Yet, the inversion of tones complicates this straightforward reading. The girl's bright eyes against the darker background might suggest a disruption of conventional representation. This subversion invites us to question the authenticity of identity itself. Consider how the use of photographic negative affects our understanding of the subject. The altered tones challenge fixed meanings, suggesting that identity is fluid and subject to reinterpretation.