Untitled (portrait of child sucking thumb, with dolls) c. 1955

Paul Gittings made this intriguing photograph, "Untitled (portrait of child sucking thumb, with dolls)," and it messes with your sense of light and dark right away, doesn't it? The high contrast pulls you in, it's not just a picture; it's an event. The starkness almost feels like a drawing, emphasizing line and form over traditional photographic shading. Look at the edges of the dolls' faces – they're almost glowing, like spectral beings. This kind of manipulation, emphasizing certain elements while obscuring others, makes you question what's real and what's imagined. It reminds me a bit of Diane Arbus, in its raw, unflinching portrayal of childhood. But, like all good art, it leaves you with more questions than answers. It's a space for you to project your own memories and interpretations, and that's the beauty of it.