The first event, related to to the artist is World War II. Specifically the duties of the U.S Army Signal Corp. Joe Shere was a part of the U.S Army Signal Corp as Chief of Photo Division In Newport News, Virginia. “The Signal Corps was responsible for providing combat photographic service for the Army Ground forces; for producing and distributing military training films, film strips, and orientation films for all agencies of the War Department; for custody of all foreign military and naval motion pictures; and for the development, and repair of all photographic supplies and equipment except for certain activities reserved to the Air Forces.” Photography had an important role in troop training and was often known as their “secret weapon.” Knowing Sheres history, it is safe to say he’s captured a lot of raw images which I think can help explain the image with Sophia Loren and Jayne Mansfield. He’s used to capturing peoples reality. Not so much of posed works. Although the Loren and Mansfield is his most famous work, he’s done a lot with many other Big Hollywood names such as Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley. If you look at this image and his other images, he tries to capture how the stars really are in real life as opposed to strictly their beauty. Similar, to how he did in the military. Here, it appears Sophia Loren is looking envious towards Jayne Mansfields chest, as Jayne smiles for the photo. This looks unposed and is a reality in Hollywood or just in everyday life. Everyone wants what they can’t have.  

US Army TS Signals 2 The Test: Chapter 13: Photo by U.S. Army Signal Corps (January 1942–Mid-1943). 

http://tothosewhoserved.org/usa/ts/usatss02/chapter13.html. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

“Joe Shere Moves to Hollywood | COVE.” COVE | COVE Is Collaborative Organization for Virtual Education, a Scholar-Driven Open-Access Publishing Platform., https://editions.covecollective.org/chronologies/joe-shere-moves-hollywood. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.