A History of Photography in USC Libraries Collections

Women of the Hour Social Club have a toast as they sit on the stairway of the Elks Ballroom, Los Angeles, 1950

The Dunbar Economic Development Corporation Collection holds a collection of photographs documenting the Vernon-Central neighborhood of Los Angeles during the late 1800s to the 1900s. The photograph is in black and white. You can see on the staircase a flash of light. The photographer uses flash to illuminate the scene that he is capturing. The area that the photo is being taken of is dark, so the flash helps with capturing the image of these women celebrating. The flash brings out the light and dark contrasts of the photograph. There are some women who are wearing darker colored dresses and others wearing light-colored dresses. This stands out due to the use of flash. The focal point of the photograph is the group of women. The dark railing of the staircase frames the women and keeps them close together. This specific photograph captures 11 women of color who are part of the Women Social Hour Club. They are all sitting together on the staircase with glasses in their hands, gesturing as one is making a toast. Each woman has a drink raised in their hand and is smiling at the camera. They seem to be friendly and know each other very well from the way they are sitting so close to one another. They are all wearing fancy dresses and have their hair styled. The photographer is focused on capturing these women and their happy emotions and the women are attentive to the cameraman as well. Through this photograph, these women tell a story of the Woman Social Hour Club and show the prosperity existing in the Vernon-Central area. From the clothes they wear to the emotions shown on their faces, it shows they are high in status and seem to be having a great time. In addition, these women are focused on the photographer. They are all facing towards the camera and have their cups raised for the photographer. This photograph is significant because it captures a social event and the nature of it occurring in the 1950s. This photograph would be something one would find in a newspaper featuring the Women Social Hour Club and their event.

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