I had the privilege of photographing Bob Lepine yesterday. In the process of arranging this session, I ran across many roadblocks. I first had this scheduled to take place in October, but due to some unfulfilled promises by some other than the two of us, it didn't happen. After some more setbacks, my persistence paid off. We arranged this session to take place at Cross Mountain Church. Danny was very gracious to allow me to use their facility. One of the reasons Bob Lepine is one of my men of influence is his steadfast, consistent, and transparent faith. He is the co-host of Family Life Today, with Dennis Rainey, as well as the host of Truth for Life. Both of these are national radio broadcast shows that have been on the air for a long time. I began listening to Bob on the radio in the late 1990s. His consistent, steadfast, and respectful approach to educating, and helping others is simply remarkable. Earlier this year, he produced a movie in theaters called Like Arrows (very good by the way, you should rent it when it comes out). His stance on truth is ever growing in grace. He used to live in San Antonio, so he has a particular interest in the San Antonio Spurs (even though he now lives in Arkansas). While I was photographing him, he shared with me the turning point in his life. It was when a man sat him down and questioned his knowledge of sin. He realized what he thought and what the Bible says were two different things. It was at that point that the Gospel changed him, his desire to know God's word was ignited, and he's never looked back since. He also told a funny story about his son, when he was about 1 1/2 years old. He was driving in the car and someone came close to cut him off, so he honked the horn. Right then, his 18 month old son yelled out, "Jerk". Bob's wife looked at him, and he admitted that he had said "it" once. His honesty, and willingness to share life experiences are what makes him so influential. He's not afraid to talk about his failings, which tends to lower the walls of resistance when it comes to communicating and forming relationships with people. He has a rapport that puts people at ease, and yet speaks the truth in the process, something lacking in today's society. Bob is a great guy, but he's so much more than that. If I were to be in a heavily sparked conversation about a controversial issues, I'd like Bob's presence, because he can handle the heat, but do it with gentleness and respect. This is something I still need to work on. Bob's consistent example in living out his faith has been more than influential to me (as reason to be in my Men of Influence Project), but I'm sure to millions of other listeners over the years as well. When it comes to the Christian faith, he gets it. And he's willing to share and give of himself, so that others "get it" too.
Men of Influence - Dave Montizambert
I just got back from spending a week at Texas School with one of my mentors, Dave Montizambert. He's Canadian, from Vancouver, BC. I came to know of him while studying the teachings of the late Dean Collins. Dave is a commercial photography lighting guru, who can light just about anything. His methodology is based on the unchanging laws of light. Dave is a funny, creative, and methodical creative. His approach to photography is light first, subject second. He is carrying on the legacy of Dean Collins, but adding to it with his own experience, tastes, and behaviors. There were about 19 students in the class, who I am sure, found him to be very knowledgeable, vulnerable, and open with sharing his lighting procedures. His stories were very memorable, especially the one about his wife making the French man "very proud". The thing that I like about Dave (the reason he is in my "Men of Influence" project) is his ease of being human. I mean, he doesn't have an ego, or is not afraid to mess up in front of the class. Very few people I've met have that character quality. He shares his knowledge without holding anything back. He taught me a few years ago, over the phone and through the internet, so meeting him for the first time in person, was very honoring, and yet easy, like talking with an old friend. Any way, I had asked him if I could photograph him outside of class while he and I were there. He agreed, and these are some of the portraits I created. All in about 15 minutes or so. Since Dave is a lighting master, I thought I would create images that took several concepts that he preaches into account. The color image tells more about his knowledge than you're lead to think. He's a "specular highlight" and "shadow edge transfer" supporter, so that is the reason I captured that portrait on half black and half white. And since he usually used tungsten lighting (in the early days), I incorporated a tungsten bulb. His taste in photography is very high contrast, another reason I made most of these in black and white. He says that he likes dark shadows. He once said an art director once said of his images, "it looks like you can reach into the image and touch it". I must say that this week was very enjoyable for me, not only because I got to meet Dave, but I made some friends from the class as well. One of them, John, his assistant. A fellow Canadian. Dave is lighting genius, but more importantly, a very humble and down-to-earth man. I will cherish the time I got to spend with him, and make his teachings about light, my very own. Thanks again to everyone for a great week of learning and fellowship. One of my favorite Texas School visits to date.
Lighting Master
Metering the correct way...with a smile
Magical lighting....
The Man....