How to Do Film Noir Photography

Film noir was a style of movie making that was prevalent in the United States from the early 1940s until the late 1950s. The noir aesthetic combines stark shadowing, directional lighting and the use of wide angles. Contemporary urban settings and night scenes are also noir staples. The film noir aesthetic is easily adaptable to other artistic mediums like photography.

Although it's possible to recreate many noir visual traits utilizing color film, working in a black and white medium is the only way to truly recreate the noir aesthetic in photography. Black and white film not only provides a nostalgic feel, but also creates the stark visual qualities and shadow play that defines film noir. Visual effects like moisture, fog and smoke are also key attributes of noir stylization, which are also enhanced by a black and white color palette.

Since the film noir aesthetic was largely centered on the role of contemporary urban landscapes, images of buildings and other architectural structures such as bridges, statues and light fixtures are all ideal for the genre. That said, any black and white imagery can be interpreted in the noir vein, and the interplay of light and shadow adds an air of mystery and glamor to the shot.

Closeup shots of actors' faces were a key element in many famous noir films. This is a stylistic technique that can translate wonderfully to noir-enthused photography. Noir portraiture is even more effectual when your subject matter dons clothing or costumes similar to the era. "Dutch" angling, or the capturing of portraits with the camera skewed from the horizon line, is another useful technique in noir-style photography. The effect eliminates the banality of straight-forward portraiture and can add a sense of mystique to your subject matter.

Whether it's architecture or portraiture, props and other stylistic elements can go a long way to capturing a noir feel in photography. While cocktails, tobacco smoke and true-to-the-era fashions can immediately invoke a noir sense in photography, several other props can immediately derail the aesthetic. Children, animals, food and pastoral scenes, for instance, are rarely utilized in the realm. Isolation and dread are additional elements of the noir style, which rules out capturing moments of affection, large group portraits and festive settings for photographers seeking to evoke an noir style to their project.

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