Untitled (little boy and girl dancing) c. 1950

Editor: This is John Deusing's Untitled (little boy and girl dancing) print, and the reversed tones give it such a ghostly appearance. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Considering the photographic process itself, the reversed image calls attention to the labor involved in creating the print. The negative becomes a tangible record of production, shifting our focus to the materiality of the image. Editor: So, you're thinking about the process more than the children depicted? Curator: Exactly. The choice of materials – the film, the chemicals, the printing process – influences the final image. The social context of photography, its accessibility and role in documenting everyday life, also come into play. What are your thoughts? Editor: I guess I was focused on the subjects but thinking about how photography democratized art-making gives me a different perspective. Thanks! Curator: Indeed. It highlights how technological advancements affect both artistic creation and our understanding of art.