Noir? - DPChallenge Forums

01/15/2008 12:39:03 AM · #1

Can't decide....

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 Di II LD Aspherical (IF) for Nikon

01/15/2008 12:44:52 AM · #2

I thought you were quitting :-P

I'm kinda torn... lighting, yes, almost... style, I'm not so sure, I'm teetering on no. Posing isn't really working for me.

Edit to add: it's the raise arm that's killing me.

Message edited by author 2008-01-15 00:47:19.

levyj413

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max

01/15/2008 12:46:08 AM · #3

I think you mean "Noir," Cindi. :) I love the shot, but hate the smoking.

banmorn

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f3.5-5.6G ED VR

01/15/2008 12:47:37 AM · #4

Sorry, Guess I didn't get the question. Left a comment, thought you meant "NI or?".

01/15/2008 12:55:03 AM · #5

Heh! Yeah, meant Noir. Been editing for hours and working on the studio for 2 days. I guess my brain is as tired as my fingers. ;)

What I meant to ask.. was whether you'd consider the shot Noir-style, or not moody enough.

Thanks, L - I'll bitch at the model for the posing. ;)

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM

01/15/2008 12:57:25 AM · #6

It's almost too soft I think. It doesn't have an edgy feel to it.

cryingdragon

Canon EOS-10D

01/15/2008 12:57:50 AM · #7

Originally posted by idnic:

Thanks, L - I'll bitch at the model for the posing. ;)

Be sure to bitch at the photog for not getting her point across to the model as well. ;)

I don't think it's moody enough to be noir.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

01/15/2008 01:19:28 AM · #8

Originally posted by cryingdragon:

Originally posted by idnic:
Thanks, L - I'll bitch at the model for the posing. ;)

Be sure to bitch at the photog for not getting her point across to the model as well. ;)

I don't think it's moody enough to be noir.

I'll knock her around a bit first next time. Oh... maybe I'll just add some grain?? lol

Art Roflmao

Canon EOS-6D Mark II

01/15/2008 02:45:51 AM · #9

Needs that plucked, headless turkey (from the anti-smoking commercials) sitting on the other side of the couch.

option

Nikon D200

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D

01/15/2008 02:49:46 AM · #10

Strobist inspired? Some cool noir stuff goin on around there lately...

pawdrix

Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D IF

01/15/2008 06:30:57 AM · #11

I used that one over on Jpeg Magazine. So far it has 36 "Yeah's" which I assume is pretty good. It was the closest thing I had.

There's some amazing shots in that theme and a bunch that I don't see fitting the bill. Even some of the featured images I don't quite get. Huge talent over there.

I just saw this one...pretty classic and straight forward. Very LA Confidential. It's pretty eye candy-ish compared to the real good, hard hitiing stuff in the theme but it kinda speaks towards what I think you were driving at.

This one's cool... IMO
and this one... and this one. There's a bunch that I'd like to go back and find.

As for your entry...

The clothes are too casual. You need more edge...more mystery. Great shot otherwise.

Message edited by author 2008-01-15 08:40:35.

01/15/2008 09:55:54 AM · #12

Thanks, Steve. If I find the time later today, I may try an alternate with more dramatic clothing.
I've been remodeling the studio space last few days and built in this dark & moody area as well as a new solid black wall. They contrast nicely against my white bg which I still use lots & lots.

I'll post some studio pics later too. :)

citymars

01/15/2008 10:24:54 AM · #13

In my uninformed opinion, I think it's close to noir -- without going into period details or anything -- though I think the light on the forehead is too strong. Otherwise, good job.

thegrandwazoo

01/15/2008 11:21:07 AM · #14

I think Noir! I likey very much but smoking's bad um'kay...

:-D

pawdrix

Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D IF

01/15/2008 11:23:06 AM · #15

Originally posted by idnic:

I may try an alternate with more dramatic clothing.

Cindi-If you re-shoot it, could you help me live vicariously through you? ....PLEASE???

I actually think the clothes are perfect for a contemporary Noir image.

It's the pose, light and set which will make or break the Noir mood of the shot. You're pose is too dreamy. It needs some serious gravity.

If I was a directing you I would say...pose as if you're a tough, hardened girl... living the fast life with some serious problem on her mind. Sell it.

Think "...I need to get Vinnie The Brick, $5000 by Friday OR he's gonna start breaking things" (gambling/loan shark debt, perhaps) but keep in mind you've been in this position before. You're used to being behind the Eight Ball but this ones pretty serious and you're on the verge of a nasty beating (or worse).

Stare right through your hand with a tightly clenched cigarette and blow a thick, hard stream of smoke downward across your extended leg. On a coffe table, load an ashtray with cigarette butts, right next to a small bottle of whiskey and a glass...no ice. If you can create a breaking shaft of light through the smoke, you've got a killer shot...down and dirty.

I'd also say, keep the image low key with distinct highs but not too high in contrast itself(maybe soft focus ?) to keep it real. IMO, only Hollywood does super sharp, HDR-ish Noir these days (Sin City), it's glitzy and sells tickets but not really authentic. Too slick for JPEG Mag. They like more photography and less pixel-pushing.

Message edited by author 2008-01-15 15:14:19.

01/15/2008 11:26:52 AM · #16

OMG, thanks for the motivation, Steve! That really gets my mind going. In fact, as I read your comment I realized how I can combine another idea I wanted to work on today with this idea..... oh oh oh....I gotta shoot! :D

Canon FD 70-210mm f/4.0 MF

01/15/2008 11:27:33 AM · #17

Originally posted by idnic:

Bye! :-D

shutterpuppy

Sony Alpha a7

01/15/2008 11:35:48 AM · #18

Initial impression is no - but only because for me noir is associated with really crisp edges, not soft focus.

I entered this for Noir on JPEG:

JPEG link to image: Heartland

Also not classic noir as it isn't a city scene. Also wish the tones were a little more stark - less gray, more pure black and white. But I did think it had a nice, Hitchcock feel to it.

thegrandwazoo

01/15/2008 11:37:10 AM · #19

//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Film_noir

A good read I think!

Tez

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

01/15/2008 11:46:33 AM · #20

I think if the model was wearing a simple black dress and maybe a shot glass on the table, then yeah it'd be film noir. As it is, it just looks low key.

thegrandwazoo

01/15/2008 11:49:47 AM · #21

//www.alanweissman.com/noir.a.html

Great Noir Portraits!

Message edited by author 2008-01-15 16:45:29.

01/15/2008 11:52:53 AM · #22

Originally posted by Tez:

I think if the model was wearing a simple black dress and maybe a shot glass on the table, then yeah it'd be film noir.

You definitely DON'T want to get THAT model started on shots this early in the day :-D

Message edited by author 2008-01-15 11:53:13.

pawdrix

Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D IF

01/15/2008 11:54:30 AM · #23

Originally posted by thegrandwazoo:

//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Film_noir

A good read I think!

You beat me to that link...

There are good sample images there. Contrasty, low key images...not super sharp.

When I hear Noir, I think Bogart...The Maltese Falcon...dark alley's...docks...but there's more to it than that, of course.

I intially shot this scene with Noir in mind but nearly froze to death and split before it got dark and moody. I don't generally shoot posed images but this would be great in the rain with a guy lighting a cigarette under those lamps with a long shadow.

Message edited by author 2008-01-15 12:03:52.

01/15/2008 03:52:14 PM · #24

C'mon, Vinny No Neck; I have your shot waiting for you.

Better? :)