John Alton
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Johann Altmann (October 5, 1901 – June 2, 1996), photographed some of the most famous films noir of the classic period. He started out in Los Angeles as a lab technician in the 1920s, later becoming a cameraman. Later, he moved to France and South America where he created many Spanish-language films. He returned to Hollywood in the late 1930s and became one of the most sought after cinematographers in movies.
Alton was known for unconventional camera angles—especially low camera shots.
His style is most notable in He Walked by Night, The Big Combo, The Amazing Mr. X, T-Men and Raw Deal. Alton also photographed many color movies including Slightly Scarlet and winning an Academy award for An American in Paris.
Today, Alton is almost as well known by film students for his book Painting with Light as for his work in the cinema. Painting with Light was one of the first books written by a working studio cinematographer to address the techniques of motion-picture lighting; although much of the content is long outdated, it still contains substantial information and ideas and remains a good window to the shooting practices of the mid-20th century black and white studio film.
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[edit] Reference
- Harry Tomicek: Das grosse Schwarz. BORDER INCIDENT von Anthony Mann, Kamera: John Alton (1949). In: Christian Cargnelli, Michael Omasta (eds.): Schatten. Exil. Europäische Emigranten im Film noir. PVS, Vienna 1997, ISBN 3-901196-26-9
