Abigail Kyzer, 1933
Silver Gelatin
Paul R. Jones Collection, Atlanta, GA

The deep neckline, shiny belt buckle, and floor-length skirt of Kyzer's dress made a full-view format essential in Polk's composition of this photograph. Scratch marks that appear on the subject's back and the whiteness of her face show the photographer wrestled with proper lighting for this pose. Kyzer likely wore a certain powder or makeup that over-reflected the studio lights, thus Polk resorted to retouching the darker surface of her back to achieve a better balance of tones.

Kyzer is pictured wearing the same dress in a group photograph made by Polk of the Alpha Phi Gamma sorority. Presumably this portrait was taken around the same time, and may have marked the co-ed's initiation into the organization.