Shadowed Reader in a Library

Black-and-white high-contrast portrait of a woman hiding behind a large hardcover book in a vintage library. Lighting from the upper left is directional, creating dramatic chiaroscuro with deep blacks, bright whites, and rich midtones. The woman, with softly curled hair and a dark cardigan, peeks from behind the book so only one eye and part of her cheek are visible, conveying mystery. Surrounding shelves are lined with leather-bound volumes; a wooden ladder and glass-front cabinets add texture. A shallow depth of field keeps the face and book edge in sharp relief while the background shelves blur into soft bokeh. Grainy film texture gives an analog feel, evoking noir-era photography and a mood of secrecy and curiosity in a scholarly setting, shot as if with a 50mm lens at f/2.0, ISO 400, grayscale.