Untitled (couples dancing at ball) c. 1950

Editor: This photograph, "Untitled (couples dancing at ball)" by C. Bennette Moore, is striking in its negative form. The composition feels very theatrical, with a clear stage and audience. How do you interpret this work in terms of its formal elements? Curator: The photograph's formal construction relies heavily on contrasts. The stark reversal of light and shadow creates a dramatic texture, enhancing the depth of the scene. Note how the photographer uses the chandelier to create a visual rhythm across the upper register. What effect do you think this has on the viewer? Editor: It definitely emphasizes the artificiality of the scene, almost like a stage set, by drawing my eye upward. It helps highlight the contrast between the depth and the flatness of the photograph. I never thought about it that way!