George Ellis 1923

Editor: Here we have John Garo's portrait of George Ellis. It's a gelatin silver print, roughly 43 by 35 centimeters. I'm immediately drawn to the stark contrast. What can you tell me about the process of making this? Curator: The gelatin silver process is key. Its reproducibility democratized portraiture. Garo's choice reflects a shift from unique, handcrafted images to mass-produced ones, impacting how we value labor and photographic truth. Editor: So, you're saying the material changes the meaning? Curator: Absolutely. Silver gelatin prints became ubiquitous, tied to consumer culture and a different social standing than, say, a painted miniature. Editor: That’s fascinating. I’ll definitely look at photographic materials differently now. Curator: Indeed. Understanding the 'how' informs the 'why'.