Untitled (full-length portrait of bride with elbow on potted plant) c. 1940

This photograph of a bride with her elbow resting on a potted plant was taken by Paul Gittings, though when, is unknown. This isn't a photo that seeks to capture a likeness, instead, the negative emphasizes the material and the art of photography itself. Look at how the dress spills out onto the floor, a heavy dark mass, a deliberate formal trick to emphasize the horizontality. The light reflects off the fabric, creating a sense of depth and dimension, yet the composition is carefully arranged to flatten the image. It's all about the interplay between light and shadow, flatness and depth, a balancing act between representation and abstraction. I’m reminded of Irving Penn, who wasn’t afraid to embrace the imperfections and ambiguities of the medium, exploring the surface and texture of the photographic print. Like Penn, Gittings seems less interested in perfection, and more interested in the beauty of the medium itself.