What are the most iconic film photography moments in cinema history?

1 The Shower Scene in Psycho

One of the most famous and influential film photography moments in cinema history is the shower scene in Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho (1960). The scene features a series of rapid cuts, close-ups, and angles that create a sense of horror, suspense, and shock as the protagonist Marion Crane (Janet Leigh) is stabbed to death by a mysterious figure. The scene is also notable for its use of black and white film, which enhances the contrast and the graphic impact of the blood, and for its lack of explicit violence, which leaves much to the imagination of the viewer.

2 The Opening Shot in Touch of Evil

Another masterpiece of film photography is the opening shot in Orson Welles' Touch of Evil (1958), which is a three-minute long take that follows a car with a bomb in its trunk as it crosses the US-Mexico border. The shot is a technical and artistic feat that establishes the setting, the characters, and the tension of the film noir. The shot is also remarkable for its use of deep focus, which allows the viewer to see multiple planes of action at the same time, and for its use of crane and tracking movements, which create a dynamic and immersive perspective.

4 The Duel in The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

One of the most thrilling and memorable film photography moments in cinema history is the duel in Sergio Leone's The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966), which is the climax of the epic western. The scene features a three-way standoff between the protagonists Blondie (Clint Eastwood), Angel Eyes (Lee Van Cleef), and Tuco (Eli Wallach), who are competing for a hidden treasure. The scene is remarkable for its use of extreme close-ups, wide shots, and editing, which create a rhythm and a tension that build up to the final gunshot. The scene is also famous for its use of music, sound, and silence, which add to the drama and the emotion of the moment.

5 The Train Scene in The Untouchables

One of the most tense and exciting film photography moments in cinema history is the train scene in Brian De Palma's The Untouchables (1987), which is inspired by the Odessa Steps sequence in Sergei Eisenstein's Battleship Potemkin (1925). The scene shows the protagonist Eliot Ness (Kevin Costner) and his partner George Stone (Andy Garcia) trying to stop a mobster from escaping with a baby carriage on a crowded train station. The scene is remarkable for its use of slow motion, cross-cutting, and camera angles, which create a contrast and a connection between the different actions and characters. The scene is also notable for its use of suspense, humor, and violence, which make it a classic example of cinematic storytelling.

6 The Beach Scene in The Seventh Seal

One of the most profound and symbolic film photography moments in cinema history is the beach scene in Ingmar Bergman's The Seventh Seal (1957), which depicts the medieval knight Antonius Block (Max von Sydow) playing chess with Death (Bengt Ekerot) on a rocky shore. The scene is a metaphor for the human condition, the quest for meaning, and the inevitability of mortality, and it is enhanced by the use of contrast, composition, and expression. The scene is also a reference to the art and philosophy of the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, and the existentialism of the 20th century, and it has influenced many filmmakers and artists since its release.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?