Light Painting a Jazz Musician

“With an energetic and enticing selection of jazz, blues and latin grooves, talented jazz singer and guitarist Dave Toule brings together his voice and six strings for an elegant blend of vocal and instrumental Jazz with a fresh new sound. Originally from Cambridge, he has spent almost a decade travelling the world with music, living and performing both as a leader and sideman in Europe, South America, and on the seven seas.” The quote was taken from Dave’s agency, Freak Music.

Dave is now based in Edinburgh and agreed to collaborate on my personal light painting project. We did our first session at the Green Room on William Street. Dave played there on a regular basis and I promised to send them a photo of their bar as a thank you for letting us shoot there.

It was really touch and go for light painting as the place was not nearly dark enough, but I did the best I could.

Jazz guitarist Dave Toule at The Green Room, Edinburgh
We were attracted to this corner of The Green Room by the plants and lighting behind the glass.
Jazz guitarist Dave Toule at The Green Room, Edinburgh
While I prefer seeing the boots of Dave (as in the pic above), I like this pose with the guitar better.

The second session took place at Dave’s flat. By then I had learned how to better combine ambient light and light painting in an interior. One frame with the practical lights on to set the ambiance, then light painting the scene with the lights off. Combining all the frames in Photoshop allows one to retain the atmosphere of an evening interior while adding to the mood with light painting.

Jazz guitarist Dave Toule in his Edinburgh flat
Shooting in a living room can be challenging, as these places tend to be rather small and with plenty of furniture.
Jazz guitarist Dave Toule in his Edinburgh flat
My favourite of the lot.
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