Untitled (old couple standing between nine standing guests at anniversary party) 1949

Editor: This is an untitled photograph by Martin Schweig, showing an older couple surrounded by guests, maybe at an anniversary. It's striking how the image is presented as a negative. What can you tell me about it? Curator: The negative format is interesting. It makes us think about the photographic process itself. Who had access to this technology? What kind of labor went into producing this image, and what does that say about the social dynamics at play in recording this event? Editor: That's a great point, I hadn't considered that. Curator: It compels us to consider the relationship between the means of image production and the social context of the photograph. Hopefully it will encourage others to do the same.