Smithsonian magazine's 22nd Annual Photo Contest | Made possible through the support of MPB.com

19th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest The American Experience
Barber Shop in a Pandemic

This photo was taken in a barbershop in Casper, Wyoming near the beginning of the pandemic. What strikes me about this capture are the layers of time and place. This is a quintessential old-school barbershop, where cuts are $16 (as seen in sign on the wall), performed by what appears to be an older gentleman, yet they are masked which takes us to the present day. We see cues that place this in the American West, the taxidermy and Bert Reynolds as cowboy print on the walls. The photo was taken through the glass, which reflects the facing brick wall, adding texture and echoing the interior patterns that serve to fill the frame.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 08.2020
Date Uploaded: 11.2021
Photo Location: Casper, Wy, United States of America
Copyright: © Amy Sacka