Photographer Patrick Rochon began Light Painting in 1992. He declared himself a full-time light painter in 1997 on a flight to Tokyo. Patrick is known for his visionary Light Painting portraits, work in the automotive world, and live Light Painting performances. He takes the art of Light Painting beyond its limits and produces stunning visual works that merge photography, performance, and energy.
Patrick enjoys creating spontaneously, sometimes meditating before a shoot to channel deeper inspiration. In the early 90s, while living in New York, he was invited to Japan for a gallery show—and never left. He lived in Tokyo for ten years before returning to Montreal, Canada, where he continues to evolve his Light Painting imagery today.
To explore more of his work, visit PatrickRochon.com PatrickTheLightPainter.com and subscribe to his YouTube channel for performance and behind-the-scenes videos.
Light Painting Photography Interview conducted by Jason D. Page in 2010
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Light Painting Photography Interview conducted by Jason D. Page in 2010
1. What is your name?
I’m Patrick Rochon and I’m a light painter since 1992.
2. Do you have an alias that you go by?
Just Patrick the light painter
3. Are you a soloist or are you part of a Light Painting group? If a group who is in your group?
Photography wise I’ve been working solo since 1992 but often I do collaborations. For live performances I was part of a few groups. With friends we created “Light Warriors Tokyo”, “Liquid Vision” and “Boa”. Now I work under my name and build teams for each project.
4. What education do you have?
College degree in photography, but I must say that the biggest learning I did was from traveling, living all kinds of experiences and especially from meeting great people and exchanging with them.
5. What is your occupation?
I’m a light painter, I explore it through photography, live performances and video.
6. How long have you been a photographer?
Since 1991 when I graduated.
7. How long have you been light painting?
Since 1992
8. How did you discover Light Painting Photography?
Through a friend I saw a B&W photograph that had a slight light painting touch in it. I asked what it was and it sparked my mind.
9. What was your first Light Painting Image?
I started with my roommate and my girlfriend at the time. So since then working with people is my passion and specialty.
10. Film or Digital?
15 years of film, now digital and I’m loving it.
11. Do you believe in aliens?
Well I like to be logical and I love observing. I try to stay away from beliefs. Of course I love looking at the stars and how vast cosmos is. When I do I think “it can’t all be dead out there.” There are two very interesting articles to read:
New York Times
CNN
Also published on:
ABC News
Daily Mail UK
12. What is your standard Light Painting Photography setup?
Mmmm no standard, black background indoor is often used for portraits and nudes.
13. What is your favorite color?
All colors and I love transparency.
14. Who influences your Light Painting Photography work?
No one really, I did body painting before light painting. I also had other influences but mainly my curiosity to discover and create.
15. Who is your favorite Light Painting Artist?
I had the chance to witness Aurora Crowley’s process. He started as a hair sculptor and he was doing body painting and body design. We collaborated in 1996. Him doing the styling and the look on the model and me doing the light painting. Since then he started his own light paintings. It took a good 10 years of investment on his part to get to this point and now his fashion light painting is timeless.
16. What is your favorite food?
Non-chemical and non-industrialised food.
17. Do you create in any other mediums other than light painting? If so what are they?
Life in general is an art form. Creating your reality, creating yourself.
18. What is your favorite Light Painting Photography image that you have created?
I love the series with the Butoh dancers and also the shoot with Toyota. I hope to impress myself in the near future.
19. What is your favorite Light Painting Photography image of another artist?
I love what Man Ray did because it symbolizes the beginning of light painting photography. Also the series Gjon Mili did with Picasso.
20. What is the most difficult part of Light Painting Photography?
Trusting your intuition, your instinct without trying to control.
21. How do you get your Light Painting Photography work seen?
Internet, blogs, magazine. I’m working on an erotic exhibition. I haven’t printed in a very long time. This is exciting.
22. Do you sell your Light Painting Photography work?
Yes, love it that’s always an honor.
23. Are you represented by a gallery?
Not yet but working on it. I have an agent for commercial work 2M2: http://www.2m2.ca/
24. Where can we see more of your work?
Some is on Flickr, some on my site and some at the agency 2M2
25. What is your favorite quote?
“In everything you do, no matter if it’s personal, professional or spiritual, there’s always a secret door waiting to be discovered… and you are the key to that door.”
I said this one in India 2009 in front of a crowd of 6000 university students.
27. What is your favorite activity other than light painting?
Growing, expanding and transforming.
32. Where do you find inspiration for your Light Painting Photography?
I don’t need inspiration, I just do it, it’s a practice.
34. Who would you like to kiss?
mmmm…
35. Why do you Light Paint?
Cause it’s magical
36. What is your favorite time to shoot?
Night
37. What is your favorite subject to shoot?
Portraits & nudes
40. Have you ever invented a Light Painting Photography tool? If so what was it and how did it work?
Working on new ones with my friend Sylvain Lavoie
41. Do you ever get sick of explaining your work to people?
I love it, I’m always exposing people to this form of art and I’m always giving my card so they can see it on my site.
42. How many times have you heard the word photoshop when someone was describing or asking about your work?
aaaaahhh many times of course but Photoshop can be art too, it’s just a tool and I love it.
43. What makes you happy?
The rise of conscious people in the world
44. What makes you mad?
The rise of dumb people in the world.
45. What part of Light Painting Photography do you enjoy the most?
The good surprises when you look at the result.
46. What part of Light Painting Photography do you hate the most?
The bad surprises when you look at the result.
47. Do you have a website? If yes what is the address?
PatrickRochon.com PatrickTheLightPainter.com
48. What is Light Painting Photography?
You answer this one..
49. Give me some advice for anyone that might like to try Light Painting Photography.
Do it often, have fun and get your friends involved.
50. Are you scared of the dark?
I love it.