Untitled (older woman seated on chair in front of dresser and mirror, holding book) c. 1940

This photograph by Paul Gittings captures an older woman with a book, using the traditional method of film photography. The image's unique quality stems from its materiality: a physical negative, which has aged and degraded over time. You can see the imperfections: scratches and marks that are not part of the original scene. These act as a reminder of photography's dependence on chemistry and light, and the labor involved in its production, from the darkroom to the printing process. The film's surface, once pristine, now carries the traces of time. This draws attention to the photograph as an object, not just an image. The delicate tonal range achieved through the photographic process – from deep blacks to subtle grays – reflects a careful manipulation of materials. This elevates photography beyond mere documentation, and into a realm of artistic expression and lasting cultural significance.