Untitled (boys playing water polo) c. 1950

Editor: This is Jack Gould’s small photograph of boys playing water polo. The amber tones give it a vintage feel, almost dreamlike. What draws your eye when you look at the composition? Curator: The composition is intriguing. Note how the high-angle shot flattens the image, emphasizing the surface tension and the dynamic interplay between bodies and water. The limited color palette and the soft focus also contribute to this effect. Editor: It’s like the forms are all equally weighted, suspended in amber. I didn't notice that at first. Curator: Precisely. Consider how the circular arrangement of the figures mirrors the circularity of the ball and the ripples in the water. It creates a self-contained, almost abstract, composition. Editor: So, the formal elements create a sense of both tension and balance. Thanks for pointing that out!