Photography is much more than just taking a picture. The lens doesn’t just see what is before it. This is especially true for film photography. What a camera does is capture reflected light. Studio lighting allows the photographer to play with reflected light. This small group of 8×10 inch prints shows what can be done.

This photo was taken around 1950, maybe a little earlier. The lighting brings out the melody of textures. This looks like a Hollywood promotional photograph but there is nothing on the back of the print to indicate its purpose.

This and the next photo are of band leader Jeanne Carroll. The photos were taken in the 1950s and were used to promote the band/conductor. The photographer’s name isn’t clear but appears to be Maurice Seymour of Chicago. Compared to the first picture, this photo is a sharp contrast of black and white with fewer middle tones.

A portrait requires less sharp contrast where light is used to model the forms creating a three dimensional representation.