Untitled (downtown Suffolk, VA, looking west on West Washington Street at its intersection with North (at right) and South Main Streets) 1935

Curator: This intriguing, untitled photograph by Hamblin Studio captures downtown Suffolk, Virginia. The stark tonality creates an otherworldly atmosphere. Editor: It’s an inverted image, right? It feels ghostly, reflecting perhaps the anxieties of a small town navigating economic changes. Curator: Precisely. Consider the materiality; a photographic negative printed on paper, a process of capturing and reversing light. Look at the repetition of the cars. Editor: Yes, and the "National Bank of Suffolk" prominently displayed points to the power structures and economic forces at play. What role did racial segregation play in business? Curator: The Hamblin Studio’s work offers a material record, yet also speaks to social and economic fabrics, revealing the complex layers. Editor: It is an important reminder to question whose stories are amplified. Curator: Indeed, this image encourages us to consider the hidden narratives within this seemingly simple street view. Editor: A poignant reminder of how much history can be embedded in one small piece of paper.