This was my third time speaking at the DWF convention, which, by the way is made up of the most progressive wedding and portrait photographers in the world. To be asked to appear and speak to this group just once is such an overwhelming honor, but for a third time…. it just leaves me speechless with gratitude. A big thank you to those that attended the night time shooting demonstration, below are the images that we shot.

Melissa and René were so generous to model for us, if the images are beautiful it is more because they are such a gorgeous couple and not because of our special techniques. The above image and two below images were shot with two cheap video lights.

I’ve have been a fan of old “film noir” since I was a child - watching old movies on weekends with my Mom. All of that influence is paying off.. I love, love shadow rich images.

Need soft light? The image below was from a 4′x6′ improvised soft box from a table cloth or bed sheet. Camera all auto, flash ttl, no special math.

The image below was shot with a pocket flashlight borrowed from the audience.


Above, a group shot (wedding party) using a single flash over multiple frames. Not everyone was in the frame at the same time.
Below, some good old fashion painting with light using a video light snooted with a glove.

A special thanks to those helping me put. Above from left to right, Christina Smith, which I teased a little bit about being my flower girl, the ultra talented “McLellans“, Mel and Sean, the very hip “Fullers“, Erin and Chad, and the stars of the show - Melissa and René, the blob in the middle is myself, and playing the drunk groomsman at the very right is Jeff who’s wife and my long, long time friend, Rochelle was behind the scenes operating my camera. Also, an extra big thanks to Ray Prevost for his photoshop mastery during my demonstration…
below, more painting with light.


-jmc
18 Comments
January 27th, 2009
12:40 pm
You are amazing- and not just for the unique concepts but for your ability to obviously describe them so well and convince clients that they will work- and work they wil!!!
January 27th, 2009
12:50 pm
Very Harry Potter?
January 27th, 2009
12:54 pm
oh man…so cool!!!!
January 27th, 2009
2:09 pm
WOW CANT WAIT TO SEE THE OTHER ONES. AND RICKY HARRY POTTER DONT YOU KNOW WHO IS IN THIS PICTURE HELLO ITS THE ONE AND ONLY…
January 27th, 2009
6:45 pm
Randi told me about this–so so so cool!!!!
January 27th, 2009
7:25 pm
Awesome!
January 27th, 2009
9:19 pm
No words John. Marvelous!
January 28th, 2009
6:23 pm
Holy moly, that is awesome. I’m having flashbacks to Captain Underpants. I want to see more!!
January 29th, 2009
7:12 am
John, that is frickin awesome. nuf said
January 29th, 2009
9:14 am
Ah, glad you got around to doing that one! Looks killer! Congrats!
January 29th, 2009
11:34 am
AWESOME! Video lights?
January 30th, 2009
3:54 pm
That is the ultimate portrait! Who wouldn’t want to blow that up 30×40 for their house!
February 5th, 2009
12:11 am
I love Harry Potter and I love your work… no wonder I like this image so much!!!
February 9th, 2009
5:38 pm
haha! I LUV IT!!
February 13th, 2009
1:49 pm
That is the best picture I’ve ever seen. Love it! Love your techniques for capture too. I enjoyed your presentation at DWF so much I haven’t stopped talking about it!
February 14th, 2009
2:06 pm
This makes me want to peek closer. and closer. and closer. I love what you have done here!
February 14th, 2009
8:47 pm
that is so killer! you are just amazing!
February 28th, 2009
6:57 pm
This really reminds me of the sigur ros video where the kids are dressed up and marching in a field. i love this approach; it’s very inspiring.