Photobook Study: Noir by Martine Stig
After receiving the photobook Noir by Martine Stig, I instantly found it to be within my theme and something that would suit me. Below shows some of the pictures that I like from this book and my personal favourites.
In general, we don't see much in the way of context within the book, apart from the recognition of the images being shot "candidly" within the streets of Amsterdam. This intrigues me as the word 'candidly' defines as 'in an honest and straightforward way', which gives us a basis for what is expected in the book. I really like the composition of the book as it really is just a simple photobook with all of the photos showcased on the back too, there is nothing fancy but it really does peak my interest in the thought into how Stig has decided to present the book.
In addition to this, the spine has a quotation from Russian revolutionary film director, Sergei Eisenstein;:
In addition to this, the spine has a quotation from Russian revolutionary film director, Sergei Eisenstein;:
"The essence of cinema does not lie in the images, but in the relation between the images.
This quote refers to the Soviet film producer Sergei Eisenstein, and the contemporaneous development of montage of which he took part in, as well as the connections between these movements and those in modernist painting and literature.
montage: noun [/mɒnˈtɑːʒ/]
is a film editing technique in which a series of short shots are sequenced to condense space, time, and information.
This gives way to the use of the Kuleshov effect within Stig's photos, assuming that is where some of the influence is fromThat said, I would like to point out one of the photographs I took of the book from above, being the last photo on the gallery. I don't understand this photo, nor do I really want the context to this image after viewing the book, however I feel like it is a feature gone unnoticed within the book as it is something you wouldn't really think about. Was it intentional? Does this black blank page mean anything? Did Stig add this herself? It feels like this barrier between what are the main photos and the smaller showcases. Speaking of the main photos, the sequencing works in a way where Stig has made the photos work hand in hand with each other to create an engaging flow that keeps the reader in touch with the book. Not that there is any events happening necessarily, but we do see a continual development in the staging of each photo as we go along.