A Still Image from the Movie “The Night Porter“
SO much is going on that I barely have time for anything other than taking care of what’s right in front of me. David had surgery last week, all is good there, he’s recovering nicely. We’re packing up our house, downsizing for the move to NYC! You never realize how much stuff you accumulate until you move! We’ve got a lot of exciting things going on with the Blog that I can’t exactly share just yet, but I think you’ll all be pretty stoked when the news breaks! And I have been working: I shot an ad campaign last month for some nice $$. I shot another Harper’s Bazaar Arabia editorial, this time I shot the cover too! Have an editorial coming out in KURV Magazine in Australia that I’ll blog about once that hits the newsstands and my portfolio now officially is in NYC full time and won’t come be in my possession again until I’m living there! It’s been called in about once a week to various advertising clients and magazines. The transition is going smoothly but it’s non-stop work! AND, we’ll be back in NYC this weekend for our first ever NYC Seminar! We’re shooting at Drive In Studios in Chelsea and we have a great group of people coming that I’m really excited to meet and work with! Damian Monzillo, my brother from another mother, soul friend and hair stylist extraordinaire will be doing the hair for the seminar! He rocks the Universe with his hair, he’s that good! And he’s MY official hair stylist, giving me those razor sharp bangs, my signature trademark. One thing that makes me so happy to be moving to NYC is that Damian lives there! We have such a passion for inspiring work and we love collaborating so my excitement for the move is doubled by knowing Damian will be along side me on the crazy ride that NY surely will be!
Inspiration! I get asked what inspires me almost every day! Most people ask what blogs I follow and they’re disappointed to find out that I don’t really follow any other photographer’s blogs. I follow fashion blogs like Fashionista but I don’t subscribe to any photographer’s blogs. I don’t really check out too much photography either because I get my inspiration from my life experience much of the time. I know I have to keep current with the trends, fashion moves forward with every season and keeping up to date with what’s NOW is really important. Even fashion photography has it’s trends and of course I have to keep up to date with those trends as well. But I don’t sit on other photographer’s blogs reading about photography. If I really am honest here, and I know you appreciate this blog because I’m honest, I get my lighting inspiration from movies. I learn lighting from watching cinematography. I found the cinema before I found the camera. And I was completely hooked from a young age.
A Still Image from the Movie “Chinatown“
My parents were one of the first in our neighborhood to get cable TV. Yeah, way back in the day! We had ON TV. It was one of the first cable TV providers. ON TV had foreign films on it, late at night of course because they were “risque”. I was about 15 years old and couldn’t sleep one night so I was up watching cable and this film came on by Bernardo Bertolucci called La Luna. The story line was pretty racy: a mother and son’s “distorted” relationship involving heroin and opera! Epic drama! But the lighting! I could’ve watched this film with the sound turned off because the visual imagery was so moving. Vittorio Storaro was the cinematographer on La Luna and his work has since then captivated me. He’s lit such other epic films as “Reds“, “The Conformist“, “Last Tango in Paris“, and my personal favorite, “Apocalypse Now“. Who can forget the richness of lighting in that film?? The Robert Duvall scene where he made his troops go surfing during a bombing. Or the deleted scene where Martin Sheen has an affair with the French opium addict. The lighting in the bedroom of that scene sits in the archives in my brain as “go-to” lighting monumental moments!
Shortly after I was transfixed by Bertolucci and his beloved Storaro, I saw a picture in the LA Times advertising a film by Francois Truffaut: “Small Change“. I fell in the love with the picture in the ad and begged my mom to drop me off at the local Landmark theater in Pasadena, The Rialto. The Rialto played all the foreign films on the big screen. I went by myself and sat and watched “Small Change” and “The 400 Blows” by Truffaut. And I was hooked. I went as often as my mom would drop me off to that little theater on Fair Oaks. I soaked it in. I was 16 when I first saw “Last Tango in Paris” and I nearly fell out of my chair. Ha!! But it was the lighting, mainly, in these films that really moved me. And it’s the lighting that still does really move me when I watch a film. And to be even more honest, I can forgive a movie for it’s weak story line or tepid characters if the lighting is profound. In other words, I will watch a movie deemed by the critics as “bad” if the lighting is interesting.
Still Image from the Movie “A Very Long Engagement“
Below is a SMALL list of the 10 movies that have made an impact on me as a photographer. This list is small because there are 100′s of movies that have inspired me. They’ve inspired my lighting, my aesthetic, my sensibility, my eye. Some of them have even inspired me in the way I shoot fashion. I’d love to hear what movies have inspired you as photographers. If I haven’t seen it yet, I will check it out because I am always looking for movies that help direct and guide me on my path of learning and growing as a photographer.
- The Night Porter: This film will always be controversial. You have to see it to understand why. But for me, the lighting in it was amazing. It’s such a twisted dark story but even the main female character, Lucia, who’s name means “light” and her leading man’s guilt complex being afraid of the light just adds so much more intrigue for me as well. I have watched this movie so many times and I always see something new every time I see it. Alfio Contini lit this dark story beautifully.
- Apocalypse Now: I mentioned this film earlier and have to mention it again. Although the story carries the film itself and Francis Ford Coppola is truly a genius, the lighting is equally brilliant and so strong that it made you feel like you were really there with the gang on their journey to find Colonel Kurtz. I mentioned a few scenes that stand out to me but I’ll mention another one; the final chapter where Martin Sheen confronts Marlon Brando! I mean, the lighting in that scene is so incredible. I’m getting goosebumps now just writing about it. If you haven’t seen this movie, it’s just simply a must.
- The Godfather: Again, Francis Ford Coppola’s epic film will remain one of the top films ever made. The story, the actors, the art direction, they’re all amazing in this movie. But the lighting was impeccable. I remember the first time I saw this movie. The first scene had me. The lighting had me. Gordon Willis has always been one of my favorite cinematographers. He also lit my favorite Woody Allen movies, “Manhattan” and “Annie Hall”. AND he lit one of my all time favorite movies ever: “Klute”. I put Klute on as background when I’m in bed working on my computer.
- Don’t Look Now: Anthony B. Richmond: Genius!!! He also did The Pianist which is phenomenally lit. I go back to “Don’t Look Now” about once a year and watch this movie. Again, it’s a disturbing tale but the lighting informs us that we want to have sympathy for these characters and the grief they’re feeling with the loss of their daughter. It’s just a must-see for the whole entire movie.
- Days of Heaven: Nestor Almendros and Haskell Wexler did such an amazing job on this film that it won an Academy Award, as did a lot of the movies I have mentioned so far. I was basically unconcerned with the story and can’t even remember the plot line too well but I could talk about the cinematography for hours. Nestor Almendros also did “Sophie’s Choice”, another beautifully lit movie.
- “Chinatown“: John A. Alonzo lit this tragic story in the harsh Los Angeles sun thus informing the viewer that a film noir doesn’tand “The Pianist”. He’s a genius and he chooses genius cinematographers. Watch all of his films. He just proves that film noir does nothave to be shot in black and white to convey the heaviness of a story. Roman Polanski directed this film and he really is one of my favorite directors. He also directed “Repulsion” and “Rosemary’s Baby”
- Strangers on a Train: We can’t leave Hitchcock. And there is so much to learn about photography and film making by watching his movies. I listed Stranger’s on a Train here but Robert Burks, Hitchcock’s premier cinematogapher also was the cinematographer on “Vertigo”, “Birds”, “North by Northwest”, “To catch a thief”, etc. etc. And there is much to learn from all of these films. When 4 of the films I just mentioned either won an Oscar or was nominated for one, you have to study the cinematographer earning that kind of respect. And while I don’t watch Hitchcock’s films on a regular basis, I did when I was going to Art Center and learning about lighting for the first time.
- “Out of Africa“: David Watkin’s lighting was so moving that I literally was choked up throughout the entire film. I saw this at the Graumann’s Chinese Theater on Hollywood Blvd in 1985 and my first husband was so mad at me because I couldn’t stop crying. Ha! Just see if you haven’t. But watch it alone. ; )
- “Se7en“: Darius Khondji’s lighting in Se7en is magnificent and flawless. He was also the cinematographer on “Stealing Beauty” which isn’t one of my favorite movies but the lighting was gorgeous! I study Darius’s lighting for Se7en a lot and it’s another movie I will keep on as background. Brilliant!!
- “A Very Long Engagement“: Another one of those movies that had me choked up the whole time because of the lighting. Bruno Delbonnel’s lighting in this sad little love story is so over the top beautiful that I immediately watched, back to back, every one of his movies after seeing “A Very Long Engagement”. Delbonnel is probably more famous for “Amelie” but I prefer “A Very Long Engagement”. Maybe it was Gaspard Ulliel who starred as the lost lover in this film that has me won over the other movie. He’s been someone I’ve wanted to photograph for a very long time!
I had to keep this list short! There isn’t enough room or time (or memory in my own mind) to create a list of every movie that has ever moved me. But the above list is a start. Now I want to hear what films have inspired YOU!
The Unbearable Lightness of Being – Watch this.
Spy Game
These are the movies that planted the seed for my wanting to be a photographer. I actually realised my two camera’s are just like the ones used in the movies while rewatching them recently.. The power of suggestion
Robert,
Absolutely the Unbearable Lightness of Being is a BEAUTIFUL movie! I would have listed it if I had more room.
Great suggestion, thanks!
M
Awesome selection. I really like sleepy hollow as I reference it alot, lol probably such a lame choice but just thought I would mention it.
That’s a great list of what we all have or should watch !
The lightning and the saturated colors of Wong Kar-wai’s movie “My Bluberry Nights” are just marvellous. And of course you did mention the fabulous Hitchcock masterpiece ” Vertigo ” with the first travelling compensate, I can’t stop watching this one again and again.
The Fall directed by Tarsem Singh and shot by Colin Watkinson. Just the opening credit sequence alone is worth a look! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhARR-zmTCE
I’m so glad you mentioned Se7en!!!
If you purchase the special edition DVD, the DP talks about what he did to shoot the movie.
If you remember the movie, there is also a ton of other type of photography that goes on. Like the crime scene photos and the polaroids the “bad guy” takes during his “sins.”
Awesome info.
I was lucky enough to see the film ‘Night Porter’ when I was 20; thanks to a very cool friend who introduced me to it.
Actually quite a fascinating post … lighting is so much a part of your aesthetic, so it’s most interesting to read about how it was informed, and cinema makes perfect sense. Interesting list, and now I’m rummaging my own memories for inspiration — have to say that Fellini’s Satryicon informed my own aesthetic in so many, many ways — that was my high school blown away movie at 16
— just also want to mention, I agree with Ed above, The Fall was visually just wonderful, AND, I love that shot from A Very Long Engagement, and certainly understand the Gaspard fixation – totally loved that movie. Well there’s my 2 cents worth! Looking forward to reading the future blogs on the New York scene.
Out of Africa………I must agree the lighting, the images, This film for me was visually wonderful……. And a very moving story in so many ways……Happy to hear you are looking forward to your New Journey in NYC……. M~
I would have to add Shawshank Redemption shot by Frank Darabont…the opening scenes are amazing as well as the ending where Tim Robbins has the rain falling over him. That would be an awesome fashion sequence to remake.
One of my faves—which is a collection of short films—is called Dreams by Akira Kurosawa. He did all the OG samurai movies that got turned into spaghetti westerns. In the 90′s, he compiled actual dreams he had into celluloid, and the way the light moves from story to story is chilling.
Check out, “City of God” and “Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind”.
They aren’t necessarily the best lit but they have amazing cinematography.
I wonder how many togs actually do as you direct? Movies are food and drink for lighting inspiration and although they don’t work as we do with strobes, the effect of their endeavours are usually a kick-start for numerous concepts.
Great post Melissa and one for the library.
in addition, masterpieces from Bruno Aveillan are also the must, IMHO.
A Very Long Engagement is one of my favorites. It was just so beautifully filmed.
Good call on Se7en. The lighting always made that movie for me.
If I had to suggest another movie where the lighting made me take notice (rather than the narrative since I do love movies) it would have to be jarhead. I find quite a few scenes in that visually stunning.
I would add Blade Runner, The Duellists, and Barry Lyndon — all visually spectacular.
If you enjoy old masters type art, the Pride and Prejudice movie with Kira Knightly is a visual feast. The composition and lighting are amazing.
Blade Runner was on my list initially! I just had to limit the amount of movies I listed otherwise the post would’ve been way too long!
@Jon Santana: Couldn’t agree more. The guy was a genius!
@Francisque: going to check that movie out.
And to everyone that suggested The Fall, downloading it now : )
Fight Club more than any other. Can’t argue with your list, stellar movies.
Funny Face
The English Patient – excellent example of how light affects mood (the flashbacks to Africa are in warm tones, afternoon sun, golden beiges; the present-day scenes are in cool morning light, blue tones, greys.
ok so i saw your 10 movie blog thing, and it got me thinking… what are my 10 fav.
1. Lawrence of Arabia
2. Gladiator
3. Schindler’s List
4.Saving Private Ryan
5.The Passion of the Christ
6.The English Patient
7. Casino
8.Chocolat
9. American Beauty
10. Raging Bull
now im sure your getting hundreds of these now. this was a quick list, any more thought, id b working on it for weeks…
Actually i have a couple Melissa, the first one is:
1)Citizen Kane
2)Blow up
3) The eyes of laura Mars
4)The man who wasn’t there-beautiful cinematography
5) Doctor Zhivago-my favorite movie of all times, i love David Lean
I wouldn’t say that Blow-Up is one of the best lit films of all time… It certainly has to do with the genre of fashion photography… But isn’t this post more about Lighting and Composition than anything else? I don’t know, just my opinion.
Jean Rabier shot “Violette” for Claude Chabrol. I saw it in 1978/9 and I can still remember the night exteriors. Jean Rabier also shot Umbrellas of Cherbourg.
BTW I spent many an hour at the Rialto in South Pas.
The Eye of Laura Mars, one of my all time faves too but yeah, Sarah, it was a post about how the lighting in the films influence and inspire me as a photographer. ; ) It’s cool! Some films are just so good that they still inspire us on many levels.
@c.d. embrey: Really?? That’s awesome!! I was hanging there in 1978/9. Wow, that’s so cool!
@francisque.S I agree.
Christopher Doyle’s collaboration with Wong Kar-Wai has produced some amazing, inspirational work. Also love Doyle’s work on Hero. He breaks so many rules just brilliantly. In Chunking Express and Fallen Heroes, there are so many color temperature no, nos that just work so well.
Your list also didn’t include John Toll. One of my favorites from him was Terrence Malik’s Thin Red Line. Great topic.
The Rainmaker, another Francis Ford Coppola movie. Some of the best lighting. Color moves from scene to scene. It’s so well done it’s ridiculous. It’s not wowing like a sci-fi setup, it’s wowing because it is so well done without being crazy and unbelievable.
i figured someone would say it but i havent seen it said. the most inspiring films to me are anything directed by Krzysztof Kieslowski; three colors, Blue, White, Red. its a trilogy….but more importantly, visually, anything shot by Kieslowski, DP; ‘Black Hawk Down’ ‘Gattaca’ ‘Blue’ ‘A Short film about Killing.’ those films have absolutely amazed me visually…and i could watch Blue and Red every day of the week and never get tired…White, not that crazy about.
opps. i double pasted Kieslowski
the DP i was talking about was, Slawomir Idziak.
@Gary Fight Club was awesome…
Along with Magnolia, Boogie Nights, Se7en, and Silence of the Lambs. But I’m an actor not a photographer, lol so these are just my personal favorites. Not for lighting or anything
Atonement took my breath away. All that soft golden light at the beginning and the consistency of lighting throughout. I thought it was a gorgeous movie.
One of my favorite movies, in terms of cinematography, is definitely Marie Antoinette. Every single still in that film is delicious.
I loved Amelie or pretty much anything done by Delbonnel I just thinks he’s brilliant.
The Stalker by Andrey Tarkovsky.
Nostalgia by Andrey Tarkovsky.
Every scene can be printed and framed.
“I Am Cuba”
Here’s a better clip from the movie “Soy Cuba” …
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aT3Ii3hWM0
A great list, anyone can find inspiration from them.
Thanks for listing Night Porter. Thinking back… the lighting was amazing, but how could I ever forget Charlotte Rampling’s eyes??? And Last Tango in Paris was a masterpiece in very way, including a darkly enchanting and inspired soundtrack by Brazilian sax player Gato Barbieri at the height of his powers.
Oh! We can’t leave out “The Lover,” with the young and breath-taking Jane March and Jeanne Moreau’s delicious voice. And the lovemaking scene in the Gentleman’s private bungalow… Incredibly sensuous. Unforgettable. That’s really great lighting! Thanks again, -JULIAN
Hey M,
I would add ‘The Big Blue’ (le grand Bleu), ‘Il Postino’, ‘Mediterraneo’, ‘Cinema Paradiso’ oh, and the swedish one ‘My life as a Dog’.
I’m an Art Center drop out btw and it’s nice to you mention them on your site!
hugz from stockholm sweden,
Derek Garubo
My all time favorite for cinematography is the movie Leon (or The Professional) by Luc Besson. Cinematographer was Thierry Arbogast.
Love the opening scene.
I do echo alot of the older movies listed above, but also Batman – The Dark Knight. Love the lighting and limited DOF work.
H.
Leon was excellent! Thierry Arbogast lit that film beautifully. And @Andy King: Tarkovsky is brilliant as well. Loved Nostalgia. @Anwa: need to check out Marie Antoinette. Sounds like I’d love it ; )
There are some GREAT suggestions here. I love it!
The Lover was on the list too! And exactly for the scene you listed here, the lovemaking scene in that room with the shutters in the late afternoon?? Divine!
Yep – Fight Club
Gotta love Fight Club. Lost Highway by David Lynch is also nicely lit, spesially during the first part which by the way is shot in Davids own house! The death scene of Leon is probably the best filmatic death ever made
Great list
Reguards
I love Ken Russell films like Women in Love and The Devils, I love Derek Jarmans set designs.
Great post. Cinema is also one of my main influences. I’d only like to add a couple of films here, although there are so many we could mention.
Breathless (À bout de souffle), by Goddard
Jules et Jim (Truffaut)
Otto mezzo (Fellini)
La Dolce Vita (Fellini)
Ai no corida, controversial but beautifully filmed
In the Mood for Love (Wong Kar-Wai) – cinematographically, this is my favourite of his films
La Belle et la Bete (Beauty and the beast, by Jean Cocteau)
Anything by Kurosawa (those low angles are amazing), Ingmar Bergman and Luis Buñuel (especially Le Chien Andalou and L’Age d’Or – you can see both on youtube)
I could spend the rest of the day here.
Keep adding them up.
how about “Funny Face”?
The storyline is crap but “Top Gun” has notable cinemeatography. In fact you could say the same for almost every movie produced by Jerry Bruckheimer (it probably helps that he’s an avid photo enthusiast).
[...] einen Kommentar » Inspiriert von Melissa Rodwell’s Blogpost „10 Movies every photographer should watch“ möchte ich euch nachfolgend drei Filme vorstellen, die mich persönlich auf ganz [...]
I’d suggest
‘The Assasination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford’
Lady Vengeance
Cypher
and of course – La Jette!
The greatest feel and style I get from the movie ‘Breathless’-A bout de souffle- by Jean Luc Godard http://fashionandartmagazine.blogspot.com/2010/09/breathless.html
But a movie every photographer should see is of course ‘Blow Up’ by Michelangelo Antonioni, not because of the lighting, but to see a great movie with a photographer as the protagonist.
You can check out the trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zu0-keZ4KKY
I’ve just run across another movie that visually has a lot of goodies if you forget the film and just look for them: “The book of Eli”
The story has very little depth (think f/1.2!) and is basically nonsense, and the film is plagued by a need to desaturate everything, but nevertheless there is some pretty solid composition and lightning going on there.
Looks like im gonna start watching movies more!
Any selection will be incomplete but Barry Lindon just must be there.
Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette is constantly in my head when I am composing shots.
Terry Gilliam’s Brazil also blew me away. I JUST saw it and while the story gave me nightmares, I could not take my eyes from the screen because the lighting and cinematography was so dramatic and beautiful.
The Illusionist; Inception; shutter island; your list is quite nice and there are some of my faves there, I’m studying to become a cinematographer
. watch “visions of light” and “cinematographer style” if u interested in dp
the royal tennenbuams is one of the most visual beautiful shot films i’ve seen. every scene is composed to perfection. total visual delight
Great post!
Diva (Jean-Jacques Beineix) is visually stunning, great lighting. One of my all time favourites.
And a couple that have already mentioned, but must be reiterated:
In the Mood for Love (Wong Kar-Wai)
Troi Couleurs, Bleu (Krzysztof Kieslowski)
Anything shot by Roger Deakins…Shawshank being my favorite of his.. Revolutionary Road, No Country for Old Men…Exemplary work every time…
Also, Road to Perdition or American Beauty shot by the late great Conrad Hall. The Natural shot by Caleb Deschanel was probably the single most influential film cinematography-wise for me..
just watched dr strangelove again the other day…. love the lighting in there.
My absolute favorite right now is A Single Man by Tom Ford.The story music, and cinematography took my breath away and left a very deep impression.
Gregg Araki’s films have beautiful art direction and have inspired me greatly. “Nowhere” is his best work. It’s so gorgeous. If you haven’t watched it, do it!
O_O wow you have some really nice shots on this blog. The photos are absolutely stunning and breathtaking.
And the recommendations on the movies are right on. Great list!
Thanks for the list of films! I requested the handful I hadn’t seen yet on my Netflix account. My favorite one out of your list has been “Strangers on a Train.” I love the story line, acting, mood, and most definitely enjoyed the cinematography.
Now, I realize this posting is from last month, but, I have most recently watched a movie starring Johnny Depp titled “Dead Man.” Immediately, after my wows and oohs, I thought of your blog.
Good chance you’ve seen it already, but for those of you who may have not– WATCH IT! The tonal range, the deliberate composition, and lighting are stellar!!
You’ve already had Barry Lyndon and The Big Blue as additions but I would like to nominate ‘Sunrise’ (1927) and ‘Nosferatu’ (1922) both Dir. FW Murnau. They are excellently shot and are so evocative that you are completely immersed.
Thanks for the list, I love your taste. Let me suggest “Child of Paradise” by Marcel Carné…
Cheers!
So many great picks here for endless inspiration…
I’ve always felt that Lawrence of Arabia has some of the best cinematic imagery of any movie.
I have three amazing films to recommend:
The Fall
Revanche
Blood Wedding
Very interesting read. I’ll make sure to watch some of them. Can mention that I had already watched a few of them, and really loved them. Was some beautiful movies. “A very long engagement” especially was my favorite.
I’m just getting into photography and I haven’t watched all those films yet, but I will now. Thanks for the advice.
If you’ve got a tough stomach, check out the movie Antichrist with Willem Dafoe and Charlotte Gainsbourg. The movie was directed by Lars von Trier and the cinematography is absolutely beautiful.. it’s a hard movie to watch, but deeply interesting and gorgeous. I’ll definitely check out some of the films I haven’t seen from the original and those suggested in the comments below. Thanks!
“The Night Porter” like that scene, I want to once again watch a movie
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I’ll try to watch the movies mentioned on the post. Yes there are lots of wonderful movies that have the best cinematography. I have watched the Very Long Engagement movie and you are absolutely right with it.
I think I will try to watch it again tonight!
Road to prediction, this movie made me stare at some frames for a long time. love the light and the photograpy of the movie. the movie itself it’s not so bad either.
For an education in how lighting can impart its character on a scene, check out “Open Range”.
The Road To Perdition… Connie Hall… my single favorite example of light and moving images… that man went out with a bang. Wow.
The movie that captivates me the most is the 1964 movie “The Train” staring Burt Lancaster. The lighting in the first scene in the art gallery alone is worth the whole movie. Frame-for-frame it is the best composed movie I have ever seen.
i recon
Paris, Texas
ought to be on the list as well..
there is just so many!
Sven Nykvist
Through a Glass Darkly (1961)* The Silence (1963)* Winter Light (1963)* Persona (1966) * Cries and Whispers (1973)(Academy Award for Best Cinematography)* Fanny and Alexander (1982)(Academy Award for Best Cinematography)* The Sacrifice (1986)* The Unbearable Lightness of Being (1988) (nominated Academy Award for Best Cinematography)* Sleepless in Seattle (1993)
Gábor Medvigy
Damnation (1988), Satan’s Tango (1994), Werckmeister Harmonies (2000)
Some great movies. I love the great pictures.
It’s probably not cool to suggest “The Natural” but I thought the lighting was beautiful.
“Stay” is my absolute favorite movie.
It’s a psychological thriller made by Marc Forster. I’ve watched it countless times and am still finding something new or making new connections every time I watch it. It’s shot absolutely beautifully too
Ikiru by Akira Kurosawa. Beautiful, makes the most mundane moments feel dramatic and poetic.
BRAVO BRAVO ! Excellent Choices !
Thanks for sharing this, Chinatown is a brilliant movie, Must check out the night porter
Chinatown. Love it and having read this post have to go watch it again
Everything you said and 2046.
The latest Batman movie never ceases to amaze me for its lighting, oh and I do like the Solaris remake but that might be overall tone rather than any technical aspect.
Anything from Andrei Tarkovski,Ingmar Bergman movies (Persona for ex), movies by Robert Bresson for visual composition, Enter the Void, Irreversible by Gaspar Noé, Won Kar Wai movies (in the mood for love, 2046), Blade Runner, The Fall from Tarsem, Guillermo Del Toro movies, Alfonso Cuaron’s “Children of Men”, Taxi Driver or Raging Bull, Vinyan…anything from Terrence Malick….Barry Lyndon, 2001 Space Odyssey, The Shining, anything from Kubrick…this list could be infinite.
Not technically about light, but one really good looking movie is Atonement. I love the colours!
Memoirs of a Geisha, every scene is that movie is beautiful and inspiring.
I loved The Night Porter. I started collecting Criterion Collection flicks right out of high school about a decade ago. I think that the appreciation of film is probably how I came to photography — they’re so closely related.
There’s tons of examples, but I’ll add Fellini’s Juliet of the Spirits to the pile of suggestions.
[...] 10 Movies Every Photographer Should Watch | Fashion Photography Blog Sep 10, 2010 … And there is so much to learn about photography and film making by watching his movies. … [...]
Movies certainly have to watch, art film genre;)
How about films that are directly around the subject of fashion photography or cool photographer movies..
Thinking about “factory girl”
Fantastic list …. now to find time!!
I’d love to add:
Empire of the Sun,
Tea with Mussolini,
Paradise Road,
Atonement,
Affair of the necklace
and the more recent Water for Elephants (there are a few lighting scenes in this movie that are quite simply breathtakingly beautiful!!!
Did anyone mention Amelie?
I’d have to say it definitely one the best movies as far as photographic inspiration goes, ever to grace our screens.
You must watch Nowhere Boy! I kid you not, almost every scene was a beautiful photograph.
My biggest inspiration are from foreign films. Amelie brought my attention to how beautiful they can be, transcending language, but that was only the tip of the iceberg.
I STRONGLY advise you picking up movies from Jean-Luc Godard or Federico Fellini. Most notably Vivre sa Vie, and La Dolce Vita, respectively.