Untitled (photograph of man in tux with two women in formal dresses seated at his feet) c. 1970

This photograph by Paul Gittings presents a man in a tuxedo flanked by two women in formal gowns. The artistry here lies not only in the composition but in the technical skill required to produce such a glamorous image using photographic materials. Consider the lighting: expertly managed to create a soft, almost painterly effect. It highlights the textures of the fabrics, from the crisp lines of the tuxedo to the flowing silk of the gowns. Gittings was known for his portraiture of high society, and his work reflects the aspirations of a particular social class. There's a lot of work involved in the production process of this photo, from the manual work required to print it, to the skilled labor of the tailors who made the clothing, to the physical labor of the models. These were people who were paid to perform a certain image, and the artistry of the photographer was in capturing that image. The picture represents a lifestyle and a set of values, meticulously constructed and presented. Paying attention to these details allows us to understand the image not just as a record, but as a cultural artifact, reflecting the values and labor of its time.