Untitled (photograph of Gittings photo: "Fate") c. 1970

This photograph, "Fate," by Paul Gittings, is a powerful study in the manipulation of light, shadow, and photographic development techniques, common to the time it was made. Photography in this era was labor-intensive, requiring skill in not just capturing the image, but also in darkroom processes. Gittings likely used techniques of dodging and burning to selectively lighten or darken areas of the photograph during printing, enhancing the subject’s ethereal glow. The choice of sepia tone, achieved through chemical treatments, lends the image a timeless quality, evoking nostalgia and warmth. The technical mastery evident in this work reflects the broader context of early 20th-century portraiture, where photographers often blurred the lines between art and craft. Gittings’ photograph is not merely a record, but an intentional construction, imbuing the subject with an air of idealized beauty. By emphasizing the handcrafted aspects of this medium, we can appreciate the artistry involved and challenge traditional hierarchies of art and craft.