Untitled (woman in long striped dress seated with two children in armchair by window and table) after 1940

This photograph by Paul Gittings presents a scene of domestic life in shades of gray, capturing a woman in a striped dress seated with two children. I wonder, what was it like to take photos back then? It must have been fascinating. Looking at this image, I feel a certain stillness, like a moment suspended in time. The composition is carefully arranged, but there's also a sense of spontaneity, a fleeting glimpse into someone's life. The contrast between light and shadow adds depth and texture to the scene, emphasizing the subtle nuances of expression on the faces of the subjects. There’s a story there. What was Gittings thinking as he released the shutter? I can imagine the conversations they had together, the way they looked at each other. It's a bit like painting, really - trying to capture something essential about a person, a place, a moment. The artist is always chasing after something. Photographers, like painters, are in constant dialogue with one another. Each image builds upon what came before, opening up new possibilities for expression and interpretation.