Moving Stories
For an artistic medium well over a century old, film continues to draw influence and inspiration from photography. The late 19th-century term “moving pictures” illustrates the lineage between photography and film. It’s not a one-way relationship.
Chilly, stark, and thoughtfully composed, the images of Netflix’s recent limited series “Ripley” draw visual inspiration from photography. Many viewers criticized the choice of black and white as distracting and pretentious even as the show enamored audiences and critics alike — in no small part due to cinematography.
The Amon Carter’s current exhibit, Karl Struss and the Rise of Hollywood, celebrates photography’s lasting legacy on film. The exhibit features more than 100 archival materials, films, and photographs by Karl Struss, the renowned cinematographer who won the first Academy Award for cinematography for “Sunrise” (1927).
The exhibit’s first room features an original invention by Struss — the Struss pictorial lens. The photographer developed the soft-focus telephoto lens that allows for flatter depth within tight compositions.
One 1919 gelatin silver print, Cecil B. DeMille, portrays the famous director seated at his desk. The placement of DeMille far at the bottom of the photo gives viewers a sense of the lavishness of DeMille’s office while bringing the director known for his commanding presence down to a relatable height.
Struss’ palladium print Brooklyn Bridge, Nocturne captures his penchant for evoking mood and drawing attention to depth. The dark grayish-brown image places the viewer at a low vantage point as a bridge sweeps overhead. In the distance, a dull uninviting skyline is partitioned by a cement wall, conjoining physical barriers with narrow routes for entering and departing the metropolis.
Stanley Kubrick, David Lynch, and other directors began their careers as photographers. Many other famous directors at least studied the great photographers for inspiration. Local photographer Misty Keasler drew inspiration from horror flicks when photographing images for her photobook Haunt several years ago. Sweeping cinematic scenes from Hollywood inform many photos of local photographer and actor Julio Cedillo.
For cinephiles and fans of photography who want to delve into the early years of that rich and storied relationship, there’s no better primer than the Amon Carter’s Karl Struss and the Rise of Hollywood, on view through August 25.
Stay Social with Midsummer Mingle
Inspired by the aforementioned exhibition, Midsummer Mingle features craft cocktails, live music, and hors d’oeuvres. Attire from the 1920s is encouraged. Tickets include food, drinks, and entertainment. Call 817-989-5060 for more information.