Care Free 1938

Kurt Hutton captured this image, Care Free, with photography, and there’s a whole lotta joy riding the caterpillar! Look at the sheer exuberance of the woman in the front, clutching the side of the ride, throwing her head back with glee. This isn’t a posed moment; it’s a caught moment, and that’s important. The composition is dynamic; we’re on an upward swing, and the woman’s flying skirt adds to the chaos of the funfair ride. The grayscale palette is a gift here. It lets us focus on the tones and textures, the darks of the rollercoaster, the light on the faces, and the way everything is composed. It’s kind of like a painting, in that way. I’m reminded of Weegee. He was a photographer known for his raw, honest images of city life. Hutton’s found that same realness. It's like you can almost hear their laughter.