Untitled (three young men in suits) 1964

This photographic negative of three young men in suits by Robert Burian, well, it's like seeing the world turned inside out. The stark contrasts – the ghostly white figures against the deep, velvety black – invite you to consider how the image was made. It's not about capturing a moment, but revealing an underlayer, an artmaking process. Notice the texture around the edges, it feels raw, like you can reach out and touch the film. Look at the way the light and shadow dance around their faces. It's an interesting reminder that what we see is always mediated, always filtered through layers of perception. It reminds me of those early experimental photographers who were more interested in the process, the alchemy of light and chemicals, than in capturing a perfect image. This piece feels like a conversation with them, a way of exploring the possibilities of the medium. It's like Burian is saying, "Here's the negative, now what can you imagine?"