Untitled (two couples posing in living room at Christmas party) 1955

Editor: This is an untitled photo by Martin Schweig of two couples posing in a living room at a Christmas party. The image is a photographic negative. It has such an interesting tonal range. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Note the stark contrast between the figures and the background. The negative effect emphasizes shape and form, abstracting the scene. Observe how the composition directs the eye. Editor: So, the composition, more than the context, is what defines the image for you? Curator: Precisely. The formal elements create a visual language independent of the subject matter. The relationship between light and dark, positive and negative space, becomes the primary focus. Editor: I'm starting to see it now, it's a study in contrasts. Thanks! Curator: Indeed. And that focus reveals the photographer's formal concerns.