Untitled (small child seated on chair, holding animal toy) after 1940

This silver gelatin print was created by Paul Gittings, a photographer known for portraiture. The creation of photographic prints involves darkroom processes and chemical treatments to develop the image from a negative. Here, we see a monochrome image, in shades of gray, achieved through the manipulation of light-sensitive materials. The texture and tonality of the print, from the soft gradients to the stark contrasts, reflect the artist’s careful control over this chemical process. Consider the labor involved, both in the studio setting and the darkroom: posing the subject, arranging the shot, and then the meticulous work of developing the print. Photography, from its very beginnings, has challenged our notions of what constitutes art, and its relationship to both craft and industry. The making process is one of skilled labor, requiring careful attention to detail, precision, and a deep understanding of the materials. Looking at the photograph this way reminds us to think about the expanded field of creative practice.