"The photographs were taken in 1951 and 1952. The camera used was a bulky, 6x6 cm. format, twin-lens reflex with a ground-glass focusing screen, and an excellent (for its era) Scheider-Kreutznach lens. The film was Kodak plus-X or panatonic-X, slow films with wide latitude and fine grain. All photographs, by my own choice, were posed. To each person, I stated that I was making a series of photographs to demonstrate Navajo ways to the 'Bellicana (read "Americans").' Acceptance of this comprised an implicit contract that I could show the photos to others"--Jonathan B. Wittenberg in letter to LaRee Bates, December 2001. More information on the images and Dr. Wittenberg can be found in the Archivist's accessioning files, please see Archivist for this information.
