Untitled (couple on dance floor at ball) 1965

This photograph, made by Robert Burian, captures a couple dressed in formal attire. The image is presented as a black and white negative, reversing the tones. The process of analog photography involves a series of chemical reactions, film development and printing. The materials used, from the camera to the film, have a great impact on the final image. The inverted tones and graininess of the photograph draw attention to the materiality of the image itself. Each step, from the photographer's choice of subject to the darkroom processes, contributes to the overall aesthetic. Photographs freeze moments in time and preserve memories of places, people, and events. This image hints at social issues of class and labor, capturing a moment of leisure and elegance that speaks to the photographer's eye, and ultimately, the material preservation of an event. Understanding the materials, processes, and social context is key to unlocking the meaning of this photograph and others like it.