This stark public domain photograph comes from the Farm Security Administration – Office of War Information Photograph Collection in the Library of Congress. It frames an empty kitchen filled with white cabinets with black hinges. Right of center a woman stands facing diagonally away from the camera.

This photo was taken by Lee, Russell, working as an agent of the United States Government and it therefor assumed to be in the public domain.

21 megabyte TIFF. Hosted at the Library of Congress.

1. Jane
   03.27.10

   A well coifed woman stands alonein an empty kitchen.The black and white photo is dominated by large white cabinets , adorned with huge black hinges. The cabinets are not distinctive, no intricate design or glass to speak of.A huge porcelain sink is the central point of the kitchen. The woman stands and appears to be preparing a pot of coffee.She seesm oblivious to the camera. I imagine that she has just moved in and her mind is on much more important things. How long will it take to unpack? What colors shall we paint? When will I find time to go grocery shopping ? Mind racing with a million questions all at once. Readying herself for the day with a cup of Joe. A caffeine jolt will help her prepare to clean the large white cabinets and fill them with the essentials . Yet another thing running through her mind – bread, eggs, rice, flour, sugar. She rattles the list off in her head. All the while still ignoring the camera , making her coffee – just need a single cup to get me going she thinks to herself. A million thoughts racing through her head and then it dawns on her , there is no cream for her coffee !

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2. Bob
   03.27.10

   This picture is a very cool black and white angle of a woman in the kitchen in what seems to be twenties or thirties. The multiple square cabinets contrast the black hinges and counter tops. The naked light hanging from the ceiling is a great focal point, but does not take the total attention away from the woman and towering cabinets. The dotted pattern on the ceiling and the crisscross pattern on the wall really bring the picture together and allow the eye to find something fun through out the picture. I love the detail on the window either from the rain outside or the heat from the hot water out of the faucet. The woman herself could be one of the many focal points in this picture. It makes me think ‘what is she doing’ and ‘what is she cooking’? I like the old white sink with the dark counter tops. I do not think this picture would have the same affect had it been in color. Black and white pictures pull you into the picture as if you where really there. I can just see myself standing next to her in the kitchen, cooking up dinner for the family. I only wish you could see the dinner table or the pattern on the floor to really bring this picture to life.

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3. Renee
   12.15.10

   Actually, the hairstyle, clothing style plus the white & black kitchen peg this to be in the 1950′s.

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