About the Image(s)

In classic film noir cinematography, light sources were often part of the scene, casting hard highlights and deep shadows. And in this image, I wanted to give a nod to the film noir genre with its authentic, gritty texture. I feel the reflected light on the floor pulls your eye along the shadows and helps emphasize the shape and posture of the figure, adding to the drama. Without it, I believe the image would lose some of its tension and visual storytelling.

I submitted this in a PSA study group, and it was mostly dinged for the harsh glare, but I could not disagree more ??“ not that I’m an art critic, but the glare is essential to film noir movies and photography and would like this esteemed group’s opinion.

The ‘model’ was the receptionist from the hair salon where I used to get my hair cut, she was 20 years old and the only female I knew who had three-inch heels, which is why I asked her. I had to play with the shading as some light bled into the background and I wanted to highlight the rim glow on her lower legs.

Taken with: Canon 1DX ??“ Canon 24-105@73mm ISO 400 ??“ f11 ??“ 1/40th second