More Than a Pretty Picture

The photograph of Sylvia Sidney by Edward Steichen knocked me off my chair (“Sylvia Sidney, Hollywood,” Photo Synthesis, by Colin Westerbeck, Jan. 7). It is easy to see why cinematographer John Bailey chose this as a favorite. Ms. Sidney is pretty, but there is so much more to this picture. I have never been struck this hard by a photo and I don’t know why.

Richard Tomkiel

El Cajon