Untitled (photograph of "Jaunty Chapeau": woman in assymetrical hat) c. 1940

Paul Gittings made this photograph of “Jaunty Chapeau” with film at an unknown date. Looking at this small image, I can’t help but think about how an artist can play with shape, form, and light. The hat isn't just an object; it’s a study in asymmetry. How did Gittings decide on this angle? Was it a spontaneous decision, or did he painstakingly arrange his model to capture a certain mood? The whole picture has a certain quiet. I wonder what Gittings was thinking about when he was making this photograph. Was he interested in fashion, or perhaps in the way light can transform an everyday object into something extraordinary? I see a conversation with artists like Man Ray, who also pushed the boundaries of photography. It’s like they’re all talking to each other across time, each adding their own spin to the conversation.