Untitled (men and women at fancy party) 1964

This photograph of a fancy party was taken by Robert Burian in December 1964. Although at first glance the image seems to be merely a snapshot of social life, the work's material – black and white film – reveals a lot about the social context of the era, with its inherent qualities of light and shadow, grain, and contrast, shaping the narrative. Photographs like these were produced on an industrial scale, and this mode of production had an impact on labor, politics, and consumption. The traditional darkroom processes, involving the manipulation of chemicals and light, required skilled labor. This work highlights the relationship between photography, mass production, and the transformation of labor in the mid-20th century. By recognizing the artistry and skill embedded in the making of this photograph, we can start to challenge conventional distinctions between photography, craft, and fine art.