Untitled (full length portrait of woman in dress with flower at chest, by ornate screen and vase of flowers) after 1940

This black and white photograph, by Paul Gittings, captures a woman in a delicate dress standing in front of an ornate screen. I imagine Gittings carefully positioning his subject, coaxing her into a pose that feels both natural and composed. The photograph is full of contrasts: the soft, flowing lines of the dress against the rigid geometry of the screen. You know, the screen isn’t just a backdrop; it’s an active participant in the composition. Its intricate patterns echo and amplify the details of the dress, creating a sense of depth and layering. It's almost like the woman herself is another element in a still life. The flower at her chest, a small gesture, becomes a focal point, drawing our eye and adding a touch of intimacy. Gittings' photograph is a study in textures, patterns, and light. And, for me, it’s also a rumination on the interplay between artifice and reality, reminding us that every image is constructed.