Film Noir

Definition

Film Noir originated in the 1940s in the film industry. This was an era associated with black & white low key films. They were mostly concerned with crime fiction hence your images need to depict a dark moody dramatic atmosphere. Dark, sharp shadows played a big part in these images at times becoming the COI. When your shadows are sharp they convey a clear mental image of what is casting the shadow. Shadows of venetian blinds or stair rails cast on a character are iconic visuals in film noir. The style relies on a high contrast between darker and lighter parts of a scene. You need to use the light and the camera lens so that the shadows and dark corners enhance the dark mood. You are not necessarily confined to black and white, you can use splashes of colour to add depth to your image. Blue tones will add chill where as red will add danger. Use of low-angle, wide angle or skewed camera along with reflections in a mirror or a curved window in a shop front will all help to create that image for you as long as you keep in mind the dark sharp contrast of black and white. The most important function of your image is to tell a story using lighting to create that sharp contrast resulting in a dark sombre with a rather macabre effect. Side lighting will help here. When choosing your subject matter keep in mind the origins of this Film noir , detectives with hats tilted low, coat collars up, criminals lurking in shadows and of course the ladies of the night who were around all these scenes. No end to what you can create!!!