Master of many mediums and never one to shy away from something experimental, Quang Ho letting his light shine with a few strokes of a flashlight.
Painting with a Flashlight on a Stick
A chilly round 2 of light paintings in Morrow, Ohio with Quang Ho, one of my all time favorite artists and humans.
For this series of images Quang attached the flashlight to the tip of a 8 foot fallen tree branch which allowed him to view the motions of his strokes from a distance. Generally the flashlight is held by hand. Also this was the first time he's attempted this technique and his 2nd try at light painting.
Over the years I’ve been lucky to watch him work his magic with numerous mediums. And still to this day his range of subjects and styles has yet to lose its essence of surprise. Whether it be on canvas, or with a stick and a flashlight, this guy knows his craft.
Check out more of his work here - QuangHo.com
For the Love of Photography
Seems like the more I listen, the more I hear people talking about the gear, the business of photography, the widgets. Let us not forget the simple love of photography.
I understand why there’s so much rhetoric in our industry about the business of photography and the gear and the gadgets. There is the common stereotype that most creative people aren’t good business people. There is fear. Gear is easier to talk about than vision. Exposures are exact, the camera dials have numbers. There is a ‘right’ answer to many of these questions.
But where is your love of pictures? Where are your actions that back this up?
Can you pick up a book of photographs and get lost in it?
Can you walk around with your iPhone or Android or your point and shoot or whatever and take 100 pictures knowing that they’ll never be for a client or a portfolio?
Do you love hunting for pictures?
Will you stay up late or get up early for pictures?
Do you sometimes ‘see’ life as a photograph?
It’s different for all of us, but when you can take a break from all the chatter, remind yourself–as often as you can–why you love photography.
Light Painting with Quang Ho
Artist, friend, mentor, and brother from another mother, Quang Ho and his family have had a huge influence on my life and artistic path from a young age.
Amidst a holiday dinner and with the aid of a quality single barrel scotch I was able to convince him to step outside and paint with a flashlight for a portrait idea I had in mind for him.
I ran these exposures manually from around 20 seconds to a minute long, depending on the duration needing to complete the light painting. Incredible watching him blindly scribe the area with a basic flashlight to create these forms almost effortlessly.
Good fun and quite an honor collaborating with the humble master.
Deciduous Daydreams from North Carolina
I may be married to Colorado, but North Carolina is my new mistress. Such mysterious and foreign landscapes. Here's a few snaps from last weeks deciduous daydreams in Appalachia.
Tribute to My Father
It saddens me to say we lost a good man yesterday. My father, Edward Paciaroni lived a life impossible to describe in a few words. A bit of a renaissance man; he worked as a meteorologist, manufacturers sales rep, theologian, Master Woodworker, and a fine arts painter. He implemented his ever increasing list of ambitions with a quiet dignity and grace. From his education to his list of careers, from his skill with every kind of tool that could fashion wood, paper, canvas, or the clouds, my Dad engaged with the world as a man of many talents who would be its master.
Self-made and self-reliant, Dad aimed to fulfill every obligation he undertook. His word was his bond, and everyone knew it. I never heard him utter a lie, nor intentionally deceive.
Listing just a handful of things he taught me were the importance of love, integrity, generosity, the art of dry humor, and that the best restaurants are in the worst neighborhoods. He also taught me that life is precious, kindness and humor are invaluable yet free, and to follow your ambitions under any and all circumstances.
His character is the foundation of my conscience and I am honored to have called him my Dad.
Farewell, Pop. You did good. You did real good.
New Aurora Buyers Catalogue
My photo agent Auroraphotos.com just put out this nifty art buyer catalogue of outdoor imagery which features one of my split mirror images from Denver (page 34-35). Big thanks to Jose Azel and Larry Westler for sneaking me in! Check it out!
DIY Polaroid Grid Display
Here's a simple, easy, and inexpensive way to display your Polaroids or small prints into a viewer friendly grid. I also use this array as a method to prioritize, organize, pair images into portfolios, and mainly to just get more neurons firing with an overall view of my work. Also makes for a great conversation piece... or beef jerky maker.
For a closer view, here's my recent instant film portfolio-
jonpaciaroni.com/polaroids/
The materials needed: a hand full of thumb tacks, 100 or so 5/32'' binder clips, and 40 ft. of fine gauge aluminum wire. Total cost- less than $5!
Here's a quick rapid fire time-lapse video of the set up.