Will Connell (1898-1961) was a self-taught photographer. He opened a studio in downtown Los Angeles in 1925 and became a member of the Camera Pictorialists. He taught at Art Center College in Pasadena from 1931 until his death. His work includes movie publicity shots, magazine assignments and other commercial photography. Connell photographed every industry in California at the time. He completed a number of literary projects and artistic endeavors as well. Connell is known for his use of photomontage and there are examples of this aspect of his work among the nitrate images in the form of the photomontage itself and individual images that were used in creating the montage.
Advertisement photograph of a row of six tubes of Olds brand lubricant for trumpet valves and trombone slides against a sign reading "Olds Lubricant 35¢." Four drops of lubricant fall from a seventh suspended tube.
View of a man in a lab coat facing away holding up a pencil. Next to him are a chair and promotional literature about Adohr milk, titled "Don't make this mistake about milk! Adohr...More first awards for quality and purity than all other brands combined." The promotional material includes a drawing of 2 women standing in front of 2 giant bottles of milk with a trophy in the background.
Half-length portrait photograph of actress Helen Vinson wearing a lamé fabric gown with a matching bolero style jacket and a double-strand pearl choker.
