Untitled (greeting card: portrait of parents and children around tree) c. 1950

Editor: This is an intriguing photo, "Untitled (greeting card: portrait of parents and children around tree)" by Lucian and Mary Brown. It's a small, black and white print with an inscription. What strikes me is how the image is processed, almost like a negative. What can you tell me about its making? Curator: Notice how the artist uses readily available photographic materials to create a personalized greeting. The production and sharing of such an image shifts photography from a purely commercial or documentary purpose into a form of intimate, handmade communication. The family is literally producing and distributing their own image. Editor: That's fascinating! So, it's less about the perfect image and more about the act of creating and sharing? Curator: Precisely. It challenges the traditional hierarchy between professional photography and everyday, personal expression, democratizing the means of image production. Editor: I see, I hadn't considered the social aspect of its creation and distribution. It's like a very personal, handmade postcard. Curator: Exactly, and that’s where the true value lies.