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. October 5 is the 278th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (279th in Leap years). ... 1901 (MCMI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Wednesday of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... June 2 is the 153rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (154th in leap years), with 212 days remaining. ... 1996 (MCMXCVI) was a leap year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year for the Eradication of Poverty. ... This still from The Big Combo (1955) demonstrates the visual style of film noir at its most extreme. ... Flag Seal Nickname: City of Angels Location Location within Los Angeles County in the state of California Coordinates , Government State County California Los Angeles County Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (D) Geographical characteristics Area     City 1,290. ... The 1920s was a decade sometimes referred to as the Jazz Age or the Roaring Twenties, usually applied to America. ... ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

Example of Alton's style in Raw Deal

Alton was known for unconventional camera angles—especially low camera shots. Image File history File links Raw Deal still File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Image File history File links Raw Deal still File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Raw Deal is a 1948 film noir directed by Anthony Mann and cinematography by John Alton. ...

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. Police plan of attack late in He Walked By Night He Walked by Night is a 1948 black-and-white film noir directed by Alfred L. Werker. ... The Big Combo (1955) The Big Combo (1955)is director Joseph H. Lewis black-and-white film noir. ... The Amazing Mr. ... T-Men is a 1947 semi-documentary style film noir shot in black and white. ... Raw Deal (1948 movie) Raw Deal is a 1948 film noir directed by Anthony Mann and cinematography by John Alton. ... DVD cover of VCI Entertainments release of the film Slightly Scarlet is a 1956 film based on James M. Cains novel Loves Lovely Counterfeit. ... An American in Paris is a 1951 musical film based on the classical composition by George Gershwin. ...

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. Painting with Light (ISBN 0520089499) by John Alton is the first book written on cinematography by a major cinematographer. ...

External links

• Painting With Light
• John Alton at the Internet Movie Database

The Internet Movie Database (IMDb) is an online database of information about actors, films, television shows, television stars, video games and production crew personnel. ...

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 3-901196-269