Untitled (little girl standing on table by three-tiered first birthday cake with parents at her side) c. 1955

This photograph, captured by Paul Gittings, shows a little girl standing on a table beside a huge birthday cake, flanked by her parents. Looking at this, I think about the material processes involved. Imagine Gittings setting up the shot, adjusting the lights, waiting for the perfect moment. Look at how the parents gaze adoringly at their little girl, a frozen instant of what must have been an exciting day. There's a formality to the image, a kind of stiffness, especially compared to the chaos and joy of a real first birthday. It makes me wonder what the photographer was aiming for and how it reflects the family's aspirations. Photography, like painting, has a rich history, always building on what came before. Each artist or photographer approaches their work with their own techniques and ideas, contributing to the ongoing conversation about how we see and represent the world. There are so many approaches, and each one adds another layer to our understanding of what art can be.