Sofia leads this week, and we’re exploring the close relationship between photography and cinematography and how we can emulate in a single shot what movies do.
There are a few things that give a photo that cinematic feel: camera angles, bold and high-contrast colours, light, locations, just to name a few. The main objective is to take a shot that is part of a story, there’s mood and a sense of location; our image is but a snapshot of a much wider situation.
I have consentrated mostly on horror and mystery movies…where B&W plays a big part of the feeling. In fact I was surprised how many pictures I have got on that theme… But, there are some other examples too of course.
This first picture is from the Tutanchamon Immersive – loved the feeling in this one – and the colours are familiar.
Maybe not a horror movie – but the bridges and bicycles of Amsterdam is very cinematic. Audrey Hepburn? Greta Garbo? I can feel their prescence.
Did I say horror? This ominous image from some years ago, could have been used in any such movie. The following two were photographed in Whitby, where Bram Stoker lived for a while to write Dracula. The perfect place for inspiration!
This graveyard in Whitby started falling down to the sand (to the left here), with old bones spreading along the beach.
Then steam and mist are also favourites to make a photo more interesting – and cinematic. These are hot springs in New Zealand.
More scary again…this Great Frigatebird, in the Galapagos Islands, is sitting on the roof, waiting for the right moment…to steal food from another bird. Everything about this species makes it a star in any horror story.
Vast landscapes also feel cinematic – this is in Tibet. My son down by the lake – how far away is that? It’s always tricky to decide.
This is an old favourite of mine – a motor cycle gathering in Barcelona. I guess it is the spotlights behind the building that makes it cinematic to me.
What is more cinematic than a romantic dinner in Morocco?
And, of course there must be a blurry train – someone must be coming or going…
Thank you, Sofia for this energizing theme! Last week we visited the most wonderful places with John’s challenge. I’d love to visit as they were unknown to me. Next week it’s Ritva’s turn to lead us, Saturday, May 3. Until then, take care and be kind.
Leya 
I love these Ann-Christine, the one that stands out is the graveyard, it almost looks like a crowd there. Great cinematic shots.
So glad you liked them! I made it easy for me sticking to a certain genre.
I could read stories in all of them. Well chosen images for the challenge
Happy to hear! A fun challenge!
Yay for Whitby! I love that shot, and I’ve wandered in that graveyard a time or two. Never taken such a wonderful image though. Think I might prefer to be Greta Garbo in Amsterdam xx
🤣
Great photos and responses to the theme. Superb.
Thank you!
oh the variety was fun and top two favs are the dinner in Morocco (cool plates and cin vibe) and of course the blurry train ending –
Thank you – and that was a dwlicious dinner!
😊😊
Stunning photography, Anne-Christine! I especially love the Amsterdam bridges!
Such a good idea to focus on horror and mystery, and your photos really do convey a sense of those genres. I really like the Whitby graveyard shot, also the dinner in Morocco is full of atmosphere and the frigate bird is very menacing!
Outstanding pictures that could IMO be used for various storylines and genres. From the vast lands of Tibet via a stop over at the Moroccan dinner table to Audrey Hepburn and Ancient Egypt: What a wonderful and diverse treasure box of inspiration, Ann-Christine!
Love the photo of the dinner in Morocco. I can feel something sinister just out of the frame. And the Egyptian figure with the shining eyes. There is a sense of foreboding and mystery about all of them.
Wow 🤩! All of them could be stills from a movie. My favorite is Amsterdam with the alternating arches of the bridges and the boat!
What a beautifully diverse collection of moments!
Each image you’ve described isn’t just a photograph but a scene waiting for a story to unfold.
The use of light, shadow, and location does indeed bring out a cinematic feel, capturing the essence of a much bigger narrative. Whether it’s the haunting atmosphere of Whitby or the romanticism of Morocco, it’s clear you have an eye for finding those perfect ”movie moments” that stir emotion.
Thank you, AC, for this visual treat!
Philo
Ann-Christine, yours is a beautiful response. Though I am not a fan of horror movies, except for maybe the earlier genra (and Young Frankenstein ), I know they helped develop cinema as we know it. I love the compositions of the Dinner in Morocco and, of course, the train.
I love the lights behind the Catalunya museum. Well captured.
Lovely. They’re all great. My favorite is the Bridges of Amsterdam. (Garbo, I think) Great post – All very cinematic.
Great response to the challenge, A C! Loved thr Whitby images and some of your horror stills
What a wonderful post! Whitby looks like something that could inspire a lot, not just Dracula. I love that scary view of King Tut. For me the frigatebird does not signify horror, because I would really like to spot my first Great Frigatebird.
You DO surprise me! I’d never have guessed you’d like horror or mystery movies. But your photos demonstrate that these are genres you’re quite at home with. I love the Amsterdam and NZ shots in particular.
This is a fun take on the challenge Ann-Christine. I particularly like the shots; Tibet, Barcelona, and the train.
These are awesome! The graveyard is right out of Dracula movie! I also really like the vast landscape and the motorcycle gathering.
Wow! You nailed this challenge with fascinating photos. The horror vibe is there in several shots, and you also showed us you can do the romantic thing, too. What an amazing post! Beautiful photos.
Ever so brilliant Ann-Christine. Loved every moment
Whitby would also suit any of the Brontë… very melodramatic moods. These are fantastic, Ann-Christine, I’m in love with the Moroccan dinner, I’m getting more and more decided to go there 🙂
Well Ann-Christine, you know I always love your posts but this one is beyond wonderful! I loved every image and could see any one of them on the big screen! Beautifully done.
Great choices for this fun challenge, at the first look at these images, the grave yard stood out. Also the last two had me associating with movies. I actually enjoyed all of them, but I voiced my first impression here