Untitled (formal portrait of bride) c. 1945

Editor: Here we have an untitled formal portrait of a bride by Durette Studio. I’m immediately struck by the way the gown and veil seem to blend into the background. What can you tell me about the making of this image? Curator: This photograph is fascinating when we consider the labor involved in early photographic processes. Think about the studio setting, the posing, the chemical processes involved in producing this reversed image. Editor: Reversed image? Curator: Yes, this is a photographic negative. It highlights the material reality of photography. We see the means of production laid bare. What does the bride's presentation signify in the context of photographic production? Editor: It’s interesting to think about how this image shows both the labor of creating a portrait and the social expectations around a bride's image. Thanks for pointing that out! Curator: Precisely. Considering the material conditions of image-making changes how we understand the bride's representation and her social role.