Introduction to Film Noir
Film noir is a cinematic term used to describe Hollywood crime dramas. The French word "noir" translates to "black" or "dark," and film noir describes a style of film making rather than an actual film genre. These particularly include strong attitudes and sexual motivation. Film noir is associated with movies from the early 1940’s to the late 1950’s. Film noir of this era is associated with low-key black and white movies. Film noir is based on detective and gangster movies, the scenes are usually moody, dark and dramatic. Film noir is also a still photography style, largely informed by the movies of the same classification. These films are usually filled with crime and dramatic stories.In film noir, lighting is used to create shadows and give the viewer a sense that danger lurks just around the corner. Lighting is the most important task in film noir photography. When adding dimension to shots lighting is usually coming from the side not the front, film noir lighting should come in from the sides. That way, it varies intensity across the person or the object.

The movie I have chosen is Sunset Boulevard
The lighting is low-key lighting, with the lighting coming from the side of the image. This is enhancing to the audience that she is an important figure in the movie as all the lighting is on her. The man starring at her face also shows her importance. The image creates a positive atmosphere and it makes the audience want to be in her position.