Been shooting like mad lately, experimenting, pushing a bit. Had a great session with Baakari Wilder recently, one of the world’s premier tap dancers. He danced the lead in Broadway’s Bring in Da Noise Bring in Da Funk, and it was simply an honor to photograph him. The above was done with LED’s attached to his fingers and his tap shoes. One exposure with two pops of flash. It is in the realm we’ll experiment with during the coming lighting workshops in Dobbs Ferry in late July. We have altered the sked a bit, due to demand for the limited number of advanced lighting workshops we originally posted. The advanced techniques classes zoomed straight through to wait list status, so hit the link above to see the revised workshop calendar, as we have changed things up a bit.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfcVfkIWGGc
June is always a busy month, so much so I’ve not been able to get down to teach the lighting class at DINFOS (the Dept. of Defense Information School, otherwise known as The Schoolhouse, at Ft. Meade). The lighting class has been left in the enormously capable hands of Tom Sperduto, recently of the Coast Guard, who is a non-stop force of nature with a camera in his hands. Check out his blog. Tom basically geared up as a dedicated shooter not all that long ago, and the amount of ground he has covered and reach he has now as both a shooter and a teacher is more than a bit amazing. He led this year’s DINFOS military phojo lighting class, and they made a movie of their week together. Check it out here.
They, uh, obviously responded to Tom’s teaching style. I’ve got a long history teaching young photojournalists in the military, and at our lighting workshops this year we’ve come up with an option that will make it easier for them to attend. Good bunch, who take risk a lot to make images in all manner of dicey situations.
The Dobbs space we have is very cool, and this year we have access to the Hudson River, which we have never had before. Working in the studio, and the roof, and on location this past week, experimenting, which is the deal when it comes to lighting.
Shot the lovely Britney Jean Hying on the rooftop at Dobbs last week, doing her best Jean Harlow, in a vintage gown.
And the ever fluid Baakari on stage, with smoke and theater lights. Very simple flash….two SB 900 units up front, off to the sides. Raw light. Minimal gear and approach. It was just wonderful watching him create his own rhythm in response to the music. As he said, for a tapper, “The floor is the instrument.”
Hope to see you up in Dobbs. It’s already been a lot of fun…..more tk…..
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Great stuff as usual,
We would love to host one of your workshop in Saudi Arabia.
Joe,
These images are awesome. I love the one on the stage with the lights in the background. The one with the guys in bed while one reads your book is superb. I have both your books on the headboard of my bed, so its the way I read your books too (minus the other men).
I’m going to have to watch your workshop calendar and when your closer south get to one just so I can learn more. Your an amazing teacher and I appreciate how you share your ideas with everyone
So that’s what you’ve been up to! I always visit your blog, and when you’re gone for more than a week, it feels like a month. Thankfully Zack Arias and Chase Jarvis have been busy with their blogs. Great images, as per usual. Love the Britney Jean Hying image… is she on a ledge?
HAHAH!!!!!! The pic of the men in bed reading the moment it clicks is hilarious. I can totally relate. It has become my baby. I told you it was a sneaky teaching style, but I never explained myself. I get so entertained by the stories of the people and the experience I don’t even realize I’m learning the most valuable lessons about lighting and the bus. Thanks again for the education. YOU totally fit my learning style.
Cheers,
Al
Always a good to read your posts. Great shot the first one.
The fact Joe can blog at all given his shooting schedule is amazring.
Just saw your recent energy grid work inside the yellow border. I wish I had known you were near Abilene. I would have stalked you down and forced you to accept a dinner gift certificate for Perini’s Steak House in Buffalo Gap to thank you in person for your contributions to my work. Inspiring as always! Ah-pree-shate-cha!
Also for those of you on the West Coast or that are looking for a two day intensive workshop there is still 3 spaces available for Joe’s workshop in Portland, Oregon. You can find information about it at: http://www.nxtfoto.com/joe-mcnally-workshop
Joe,
You gave a training in London, when will you visit the Netherlands?
Greetings!
The top shot is just brillant ! What a genius idea! Did I say genius? It reads your name in my dictionary anyways !!!! thx so much for sharing.
Looking forward to both workshops at Dobbs. I’ve done a bit of long exposure stuff, but never added the flash. Really looking forward to two fun sessions. Is it July yet?!! See you then.
you have a typo “He led this year’s DINFOS military phojo lighting class, and they made a movie of their week together. Check it out here.”
Woo Hoo – Coming to see you in London !!
Great stuff as usual!
Amazing art work there.