Weekly Black and White Photography Thread #39 (26 Oct 2025)

While it is a style, IMHO doubt it was originally developed for artistic reasons. In the 40's and 50's Kodak Tri-X was one of the fastest, most sensitive films. A fairly slow film to shoot photojournalism with - especially low light or night scenes. Pushing film was a way to bring back useable images. Art photographers borrowed the technique later. Nothing wrong with this. It can be a fine tool.
Thanks for sharing,
barondla
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Actually it is worse than that in the 40's and early 50's as TriX was not released on 35mm until 1954. For example W. Eugene Smith used Plus X for most of work. TriX wasn't around for photojournalist until after the end of the Korean War. In fine arts photography the style traces back to the 1940's from cinema. A good discussion

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Film_noir

Viewing an exhibit in Grand Central station

Interesting shot. Classic example of film-noir style. Interesting topic. Upward camera angle. Offset composition placing the most important compositional element in the side of the frame and high contrast. Nicely done.

When in Rome... do as the Tourists do!
(obviously this isn't Rome 😅)

You've managed to give the telescope a really shining metalic look.
And with such a blurry scene in the background I'm curious,... and want to walk up the the scope and take a look through it ;-)

simplejoy,

You did a really nice job with this photo. Congratulations.

Steve. Thomas

A minimist composition to say the least. It ask the question "what is out there" while providing the answer of "just walk up and look." The bright metallic object against the dark stormy skies adds the mystique of the image. Nicely done.