Untitled (photograph of woman in profile with pale skin and white hair) c. 1970

This photograph of a woman in profile was made by Paul Gittings, but the date isn't known. The gentle sepia tones create a very delicate effect, almost as if it was painted in watercolour. What I love about this portrait is the way the artist has used light and shadow to create a sense of depth and volume. Look at the soft glow around her face and neck, it's almost like she's radiating from within! And the contrast with the dark eyelashes – they really pop, don’t they? This reminds me of some of David Hockney's polaroids, but with added drama. The woman's hair is piled up in these gorgeous, swirling shapes, like clouds or waves, they create a sense of movement and energy, which is very nice. It's like the artist is playing with the idea of capturing something fleeting and intangible, a certain mood or feeling, rather than just a likeness.