Untitled (girl in white dress seated on arm of wooden chair under tree) after 1940

Paul Gittings made this photograph, “Untitled (girl in white dress seated on arm of wooden chair under tree),” with some kind of film and camera. Look how he explores just how dark, or just how light, he can make the world appear. It’s all about process, playing with tones. I keep coming back to the contrast between the white dress, almost glowing, and the solid blackness of the tree behind her. Gittings really pushes the limits of the medium here. And the dress isn’t just white, it’s got texture, frills, little puffs and gathers. I want to reach out and touch it. Then the tree is like this looming, solid presence, full of menace. It’s not just a tree, it's a mood, a feeling. This reminds me of some of the old black and white movie stills from the 40s or 50s, you know? The way they used light and shadow to create drama. Art is always in conversation with itself. It’s about finding new ways to say old things, and letting the questions linger.