Life — May 21, 1885 — page 3: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis This page from *Life* magazine (page 283) contains a single cartoon titled "At the Photographer's," with the caption: "He: 'I am, Jenny, let's turn together like these, you know I should want the disastrous process.'" The image shows two figures in what appears to be a photography studio setting. The cartoon satirizes the awkwardness and discomfort of having one's photograph taken—a process that was more formal and lengthy in the era when this was published. The male figure appears to be giving instructions to the female subject about posing, likely making an uncomfortable or presumptuous suggestion during the sitting. The satire targets the social awkwardness and potentially inappropriate behavior that could occur during intimate studio photography sessions.