While searching for information about Herman Mishkin yesterday, I came across a reference to photographer George W. Lucas. I have no idea (yet) whether he was related to the contemporary George Lucas. Lucas was associated with the White Studio, and was apparently active from 1905 - 1942. Heres a short biographical note from David S. Shields on the Historical Ziegfield Group: After Edward Thayer Monroe left White Studio in 1920 to set up as an independent camera artist, Luther White turned to his chief location photographer, George Lucas, to handle portrait publicity as well as important Broadway openings. Canadian-born Lucas had learned to illuminate large spaces with advanced flash light and later electric photography, and brought his taste for rich contrasts in light and shade from the the stage to the studio. Unlike many of his contemporaries on Broadway, he favored rather plain drape backgrounds, or gradated shadow against which to project his images. His stage practice of shooting full body met with Florenz Ziegfelds favor, so Lucas was frequently secured to show off particularly fine costumes, or particularly fine bodies. When shooting heads, he looked to his old friend and colleague, Monroe, as a model. When Luther White retired to cattle farming in the 1930s, Lucas grew disgruntled with the way things were going at White Studio, and set up as a separate business, taking White Studios business manager as a partner. Toward the end of the 1930s he reconnected with Monroe and formed a partnership with him that enjoyed immense success as a publicity house in the late 30s and 40s. Here is a Lucas photo of Boots Mallory from the 1931 Follies: historicalzg.piwigo/_datas/r/g/e/rge5ew6d3t/i/uploads/r/g/e/rge5ew6d3t//2013/03/03/20130303221401-98a75efc-me.jpg
Posted on: Sun, 20 Jul 2014 21:54:40 +0000
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