Untitled (three young woman in casual dresses posed with studio prop) after 1940

This gelatin silver print of three young women was made by Paul Gittings. Photography is a process intimately linked to capitalism. The gelatin silver process, in particular, involves a complex chemistry and an industrial supply chain. The materials, from the silver salts to the paper, all had to be mined, processed, and distributed. And the final product, a photograph, was often used for commercial purposes. Looking at the print itself, notice the sharp contrast, the way the light reflects off the surface, and the tonal range achieved with the use of darkroom techniques. Consider also the labor involved in producing the image: not only the photographer's skill in composing the shot, but also the work of the models, the studio assistants, and the workers in the factories that produced the materials. By considering these aspects of material and process, we can gain a deeper understanding of the social and cultural significance of this seemingly simple photograph, and the industry that sustained it.