Summary of Vegas Noir
Vegas Noir: Urban Aesthetics in Deep Monochrome by Andrew Hall is a visual anthology that began amidst the solitude of the 2021 pandemic. This ongoing project captures the vibrant nightlife of Las Vegas, preserving moments in thousands of meticulously curated images. Presented in stark black and white, this series highlights the beauty and mysterious allure of the urban scene. Each photo and video offers a glimpse into the unique atmosphere of Las Vegas after dark. My aim is to convey the essence of city life, seen through the lens of my personal experiences and artistic vision.
History of Vegas Noir
The history of Vegas Noir: It actually started long before I came up with the name for it. I’ve been shooting photography for years, and through my interest in post-apocalyptic aesthetics, I began trying to capture the essence of how the world would look in the aftermath of a nuclear holocaust or some other extinction level event. While developing this into Atomic Desert: Visions of the Apocalypse, I also discovered that much of the content I was capturing fell neatly into a more precise genre, Film Noir or (Please include additional phrases here). Since the majority of my images were in Las Vegas, and we were in the middle of a pandemic, during the peak of lockdowns in early 2021 I came up with the name Vegas Noir, and began actively focusing on content that would fit into this type of project. Originally it started as primarily photography, but as I began capturing more video footage, the project evolved. I eventually realized that I had enough content to begin curating them into a presentation to share with others. Here is that project.
Vegas Noir Mission
The core mission of Vegas Noir is to delve into the visual interplay between light and shadow, utilizing the stark contrasts of black and white to reveal the underlying essence of urban environments. Las Vegas serves as the perfect canvas for this endeavor, rich not only in glitz and glamour but also in hidden depths and stark realities. Beyond the entertainment and opulence that draw millions, there lies a lesser-seen side of the city—gritty street scenes and obscure corners where life hangs in delicate balance, where the lines between right and wrong blur into the shadows.
Vegas Noir aims to uncover these overlooked narratives, capturing moments that reflect both the harsh realities and unexpected beauty of these areas. Through this series, I strive to present a different perspective of Las Vegas, one that offers profound beauty and overwhelming elegance when viewed through the right lens. This project is not just about capturing images but about telling stories that evoke reflection and emotion, showcasing the city’s true aesthetic undercurrents.
Artistic Influences of Vegas Noir
Vegas Noir draws deeply from the visual and thematic elements of the 1940s film noir genre, marked by its dramatic interplay of light and shadow, and its focus on urban mystery and moral ambiguity. Iconic films such as Casablanca, The Maltese Falcon, and Gaslight provide a foundational aesthetic and emotional blueprint for the project.
Beyond these cinematic influences, the project is shaped by the works of photographers who have expertly captured the essence of urban landscapes through black and white photography. Among these, Lucien Hervé stands out, with his architectural photography that captures the interplay of light and structure, highlighting geometric forms and human elements within urban landscapes. Learn more about Lucien Hervé’s work here.
Architecture plays a pivotal role in framing the daily life and drama of the city, a theme reflected in the work of Berenice Abbott, whose documentation of New York City transformed the depiction of its urban environment. Abbott’s photographs capture not only the city’s architectural beauty but also the spirit of its transformation, echoing the noir theme of uncovering hidden depths. Discover more about Berenice Abbott’s contributions here.
The combined influences of these films and photographers guide the aesthetic and narrative approach of Vegas Noir, unveiling the hidden beauty and grit of Las Vegas through a lens that is both classic and distinctly personal.