Untitled (woman in black dress with hand on wall, head turned to side) after 1940

This black and white photograph by Paul Gittings captures a woman in a black dress with her hand resting on a wall. What really strikes me is how Gittings uses light and shadow to create a sense of depth and drama. The stark contrast pulls your eye to the woman's face, highlighting her expression and the elegant curve of her neck. There's a certain ambiguity in the texture of the image, like it’s both crisp and slightly blurred, adding to its ethereal quality. The woman's dress, a dark mass, is detailed with lace, hinting at texture and intricate design. Her outstretched hand, seemingly weightless against the wall, offers a subtle point of connection to the viewer. It's these small moments that let you consider the narrative suggested, and to think about what the picture is really about. It reminds me of some of the portraiture work of artists like Man Ray, where the sitter's personality and the photographer’s technique are equally important. It’s a conversation between light, shadow, and form.