This week's assignment:
"Film Noir", French for "black film". This will probably be a more difficult assignment that will require much more preparation because mood as well as lighting are important aspects as well as creating a story. I put some places for you to check out below, but you might want to google to find even more. You might even want to start with a story in mind as you prepare for your shot. Here is
Wikipedia's definition:
"Film noir is a cinematic term used primarily to describe stylish Hollywood crime dramas, particularly those that emphasize cynical attitudes and sexual motivations. Hollywood's classic film noir period is generally regarded as stretching from the early 1940s to the late 1950s. Film noir of this era is associated with a low-key black-and-white visual style that has roots in German Expressionist cinematography. Many of the prototypical stories and much of the attitude of classic noir derive from the hardboiled school of crime fiction that emerged in the United States during the Depression."
Think of old movies, such as The Maltese Falcon" or relatively new ones like "Sin City".
Some good reading on the subject:
Strobist and
here
flickr group
One photographer's method
Sample images
Film Noir Glossary
If you find some good sites on the subject, feel free to post them in this thread so we can all learn more.
I have to put up my example a bit later. Some medical issues in my family this week, among them my model (daughter) was sick, and then she passed it on to me. I definitely have not been feeling like using my camera for the past few days
.
To help you along, try visiting a few examples, including
this wonderful set by
jareddimartine on flickr.
As always, rules:
Just a note to new posters: DO NOT start a new thread for your post. Please just hit the reply button at the bottom of any current post and put your image there.
1. Your original image you submit should be taken between the 21st of April and the 5th of May. Each week as an assignment closes on the Wednesday, it will be AUTOMATICALLY deemed *CLOSED* after 8am GMT ( 3am EST) and any posts after that time will not be eligible for the assignment competition.
Don't wait until the last minute to post!
2. Your post must include B]"Film Noir"[/B] (to show your permission to count it for the contest) and
the date the picture was taken (to show that it is a valid entry)
.
3. EXIF data should be intact. It helps if you can include the main points (including camera, lens, date taken, ISO, shutter speed and aperture) in the text of your message.
4. Only one entry per member (if you can't restrain yourself until the end of the first week you can post two or three separate pictures but your entry should be in a separate post and the only marked with the text above). It must be an original image taken by you.
5. Remember the cross-site image size limit (
740px on the longest side). (If it's wider than the image above, it's disqualified)
6. If the image does not exist in post at the end of the contest, it is disqualified. If you modify anything on flickr and re-save the image then the link is broken and the message needs edited to link the picture again before it will be included in the contest.
For everyone, please do not repeat other people's photos by quoting them until the contest is over. If you want to comment on or discuss an entry you can use a link to it (or just delete the picture from the quoted text).
7. If you are looking for the winners of the mini-contest, please check the front page of the
DPS blog Saturday late afternoon (EST) and
here.
Next week:
"Toys" After a difficult assignment like "Film Noir", we need a little time to remember our childhood and play a bit. Do you have a loved toy from your past or do your children have a favorite? Tap into your inner child this week!