Always tough to put St. Lucia in the rear view mirror. It’s a beautiful, serene place. Now, home in NY, it’s back to the reality of fall as the pace of the city accelerates, the leaves turn, and I feel like a squirrel on a highway dodging eighteen wheelers with signs on them saying “End of the year ‘s coming!” and, “There’s too much to do!”
But, good memories linger. We had a great class, filled with talent and high spirits, certainly exemplified by the artwork offered by the estimable, hysterical and talented Virginia Kressin, who created a postcard in honor of the workshop. Yes indeed, TTL flash can be frustrating.
We were hosted as always by the gracious staff of Anse Chastanet and Jade Mountain resorts, where chances for lovely pictures grow in abundance, right there on the beaches and in the lush jungles. My heartfelt thanks go out to Nick and Karolin Troubetzkoy, from whose imaginations these places sprung, to the hotel staffs, and of course, Edmund Modeste, who makes everything happen for the workshop.
Also thanks to RC Concepcion, our guest instructor for the week. It was fun watching RC gambol about like a kid in a candy factory. His peerless sense of composition and post-production mastery of HDR were perfectly suited to the sweep and audacity of Jade Mountain.

We made a trip to the Soufrieres Firehouse again, and saw Garvey and his mates. I did a quick demo about creating window light with small flash by using a tri-flash with SB910 units and a Lastolite skylite panel to camera left, which worked out well.
And it’s wonderful and soul soothing for me, always, to photograph one of my favorite people, Claudette Adjodha. A wonderful guitarist and vocalist, she always, for me, has a calm and direct connection to the camera. Shot with a Quadra, fitted with an 59″ indirect Rotilux soft box.
The warmth of the islands will surely fade into the cool of the fall with a trek north to Lansing, Michigan for Friday’s One Light, Two Light tour. Looking forward to once again trying to wring good light, simple and fast, out of a couple of speed lights.
And, then, further north. We go back to Toronto, one of my favorite cities, to join with colleagues and friends for the PPOC convention, Oct. 14 and 15. It’s being held at the Westin, and it’ll be great to back in the north country. More tk….
Great work as always. One question – did you use the Octa that is linked to? Or this one http://www.amazon.com/Elinchrom-EL-26188-59-Inch-Rotalux/dp/B006RIA09K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1349793132&sr=8-1&keywords=elinchrom+indirect? I have the linked to one and just ordered the new one and am interested to see the differences.
See you in Lansing, Joe! Be prepared for the cold Michigan weather! 🙂
Hey Joe,
Any plans to come west in the future? Say Edmonton or Calgary?
I would love to attend but Toronto is a long haul from here.
Keith
Hey Doug….you are right. I mis-linked it. (Is that a word?) Yeah, got my numbers crossed on that one. We’ve been using the indirect 59 inch, and really, really love it. Very smooth, beautiful light….thanks for bringing it up. all best, Joe
See you in Lansing! James is right, it is cold up here!
Thanks Joe! Mine arrives Friday, very much looking forward to it.
Looking forward to Friday. Forecast is sunny with a high around 52. The fall colors are just starting in the area.
Tom
Hey Joe. Stumbled upon your site and love your work so far. Definitely looking forward to hearing (and seeing) more about your seminars in the future. Let me know if you come to Buffalo!
what a wonderful shot of Claudette!
Really looking forward to Lansing. Taking a Vac. day from the office and diving 2 hr but I can’t believe I will actually see Joe McNally live.
Great stuff as always. And don’t worry about Michigan, it’s not that cold up here … if you are a penguin.
I really want to go to one of these! When does the schedule for 2013 come out? 😉
you got some great shots during your visit. really great work man.
I like me that Ginny. She’s a big, bold and beautiful girl 🙂
Tickets are now being sold for the First Annual Joe McNally Speedos on Ice! Featuring Joe in Hot Pink Speedos; Drew “The Vegetarian Chile” & the Ever So Lick-o-lishous Cali! Tony, call me! XOXOXO ~ V
Love the shot of Claudette! What amazing quality of light.