Film Noir is a style of movies characterized by low-key lighting, usually in an urban setting, with corrupt or cynical characters. These films were very popular in the 40's and 50's. Famous examples might include "The Maltese Falcon," or "The Big Sleep." A good example of modern film noir would be "Sin City."
Take a photo that represents the film noir style. Black and white is not a necessity but it is strongly recommended in order to properly get the right feel for this contest. Good luck!
Required level: 10+ or higher. Status: finished. Check out the winners below!
karaflazz: G R E A T ! ( 5 years and 3539 days ago )
friiskiwi: sounds like made for you Karaflazz ( 5 years and 3539 days ago )
jawshoewhah: Nice suggestion! ( 5 years and 3539 days ago )
magicsteve: I think people are getting this confused "A film / movie characterized by low-key lighting, a bleak urban setting, and corrupt, cynical or desperate characters" It's not about inanimate objects in a studio on a black background. It needs to be people, in the city shot in a moody b&w style ( 5 years and 3538 days ago )
adeincyprus: agreed......... ( 5 years and 3538 days ago )
jawshoewhah: Ew, I hate agreeing with you but... agreed.... ( 5 years and 3538 days ago )
locksmagic: Hey everybody, there are only about three entries that fit this theme right now! Webster's definition is this "a type of crime film featuring cynical malevolent characters in a sleazy setting and an ominous atmosphere that is conveyed by shadowy photography and foreboding background music" Just putting up a b&w shot does not make it film noir! First off there has to be people in the shot, and second it can't be everyday looking people, the whole point of this is to emulate a very old style of movie about bad guys. This is a 10+ contest I would think that anyone at this level would know enough to put in a little research and not just pull a nice looking B&W off their hard drive. That being said there are some VERY nice shots but they would be better suited in a different contest. I hope I didn't step on any toes, but this one excited me when I saw it, I thought with it being at this level we would get some very creative staging but so far I'm disappointed by what's come up ( 5 years and 3536 days ago )
Celestial: Just to clarify, locksmagic you stated that "First off there has to be people in the shot, and second it can't be everyday looking people, the whole point of this is to emulate a very old style of movie about bad guys" but the guidelines do not state that there has to be people. I just wanted to point this out because people could become confused by comments and it could effect their voting which isn't fair ( 5 years and 3536 days ago )
locksmagic: True the guidelines dont specifically call for people in the shot, but if the theme of the contest by definition calls for people, then how can you possible argue that there doesn't have to be people in it?! ( 5 years and 3536 days ago )
Celestial: In my opinion you can create the atmosphere without people, maybe we need a moderator to clear this up ( 5 years and 3536 days ago )
jadedink: i am not of the level to submit in this contest, which makes me sad!!! i love the "noir" style...but, in all honesty, in most ways i do agree with locks. although I do not believe that people HAVE to be in the shot. However, if you aren't going to use people, at least use props of the era of film noir. Costuming and set is VERY important on the film noir style. some of these shots..well...as lovely as they are, they aren't quite film noir styling. Black and White is exactly that. black and white. I spent hours the other day going through portfolios online of film noir style photography. there is some amazing inspiration out there if you just look for it! ( 5 years and 3535 days ago )
locksmagic: Ok after seeing "machine-gun kelly" I will concede that a film noir atmosphere can be created with the use of props, BUT, a B&W of the side of a building or a inanimate object that has nothing to do with film noir is not on theme! ( 5 years and 3535 days ago )
kyricom: Actually, the gangster movies of the 30's (Machinegun Kelly) pre-dated film noir ( 5 years and 3535 days ago )
kyricom: Folks, it's not just any picture of people in period costues in black and white. Film noir was generally in the 50's, and conveyed a sinister, pessimistic atmosphere ( 5 years and 3533 days ago )
Contest Moderator: kyricom is right!.it is not just black and white shots, it is a particular period and style we are looking for. ( 5 years and 3533 days ago )
Howdie stranger! If you want to participate in this contest, just:
I'm not sure if this qualifies as film noir or not (although I'm sure kyricom or Ade will let us know ) But it's a damn fine photo that's for sure!
author says:
http://christiandivine.files.wordpress.com/2008/07/filmnoir008.jpg
Thankyou for you comment, glad you like the photo. Was following examples such as the one in the link
Looks right to me! The only thing I'd say is wrong (and I don't think really matters, but if I don't say it someone else will) is the woman's hair style, it's a bit too modern in my opinion, but I might be wrong.
You look really good with this outfit.
My only objection is that the pipe refers to a time before 30s-40s.
Like Sherlock Holmes or something(1800 f e).
Pipe is a very delicate kind of smoking unlike the cigar which was more like the smoking way at that time (30s-40s) among with the drink prohibition.
Over all this is a great composition author & i must say that i really like you in this outfit.
Adds style to you (imho).
author says:
Thank you so much karaflazz!! your comment means a lot!!!! I guess I should always in disguise to keep me in style...
Through some research, there's a movie from 1947 called Crossfire played by Robert Young as pipe-smoking detective (haven't seen it though but there's a clip in youtube)
and found this blog.. http://briarfiles.blogspot.com/2009/11/vintage-ad-1940s-kaywoodie-carburetor.html
and this http://www.flickr.com/photos/christianmontone/4173269884/
.. By the mid-1930s, there's a pipe-tooting sailorman who surpassed mickey mouse in popularity known as Popeye
Agreed, nice to see someone actually putting effort in and staging a shot for the contest rather than rifling through their harddrive to find something to enter - props to you!
This is noir! very nicely done. love the blinds and the smoke.
nicely done!
Very well done, finally the true film noir feeling.
Very good. Like the blinds and the lighting (how the suit goes into the dark)
Hallelujah! We finally got one
Great work author
Perfect, nothing else to ad ... !
Awesome.. like a still from a film.
Now THIS is what I had in mind when I suggested the contest. Excellent work, author!
Wonderful and the author was no surprise
This is what I was thinking as far as noir quality. Definitely has the "Sin City" feel to it. You don't need it but GL!
very noir.......great shot. gl to you
Totaly amazing author, one of the best in my opinion
Yup, definitely screamed 1st place to begin with. Congrats!
Congrats for your first place, Karaflazz! It's a great shot!
Congrats, awesome shot
sends shivers down your spine 
A very big THANK YOU to all of you that support my work!!!
I really thank you for that!
Congrats!!!
Howdie stranger!
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