Untitled (studio photographer taking portrait of woman) c. 1940

Editor: This is an untitled work by Hamblin Studio, depicting a photographer taking a portrait. It's fascinating seeing the entire process laid bare. What strikes you about the making of this image? Curator: Notice the prominent display of the equipment and studio setting. The labor of portraiture is visible here. How does understanding the means of production impact our reading of the final portrait this studio would have made? Editor: It makes me think about how much work went into creating even a simple image, and how that impacts its value. Curator: Exactly. By showing us the means of production, Hamblin Studio subtly comments on the commodification of image-making itself. It’s not just about the woman, but about the industry that creates her image. Editor: I hadn't considered that. Thanks for pointing that out! Curator: Acknowledging the materiality and process shifts our focus from the subject to the system.