Untitled (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) 1991

Curator: This gelatin-silver print, captured in 1991 by Ming Smith, is simply titled “Untitled (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)." Editor: My immediate sense? Quiet dignity, seen from behind. There’s a gentle rhythm created by that small checkered pattern of her dress… Curator: Indeed. Smith's photography often dances between worlds – street photography with a deeply personal, almost dreamlike quality. Notice how the composition pulls us right into the woman's private moment. Editor: Absolutely. The formality of black and white, combined with the soft focus, throws time into a blender. It’s yesterday and today all at once. Semiotically, it speaks to the timelessness of everyday struggles and reflections. Curator: Smith once described how she photographs from her soul; the idea of bearing witness is important to her practice. And consider her innovative approach, intentionally blurring or scratching negatives – Editor: Like a painter adding texture! Here, the light from that unseen window or storefront casts the figure in an ethereal glow, making it not just a snapshot but almost an icon of urban life. What do you suppose she’s gazing at, lost in thought? Curator: Possibly another of life's stage-play moments caught on film! Ultimately, "Untitled (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)" offers no concrete answers – its poignancy resides precisely in those open-ended questions and the elegant, ambiguous mood. Editor: Exactly. It holds our gaze as we are, in turn, held in its gentle mystery. A photograph that speaks volumes, really, through its eloquent silences.