Light painting photography is a thrilling art form. It’s part dance, part photography, and just as rewarding as it is challenging. We heard from light painting master and friend of TheCoolist Patrick Rochon this morning with the release of a new project with Infiniti. Patrick Rochon collaborated with Infiniti on a project called “Inspired Light”, where the vehicles themselves become the paint brush for Rochon’s vivid, emotive art.
Patrick Rochon’s light painting or light graffiti photography is normally achieved with custom built lights in a slow shutter photographic environment. In the time that Rochon’s shutter is open, from a few seconds to potentially minutes in length, Rochon “paints” the subject with light from various angles. We covered an early example of Rochon’s work a few years ago, where the artist became the subject himself by performing various Kata moves while painting with light. The result is often abstract, just vibrant patterns of light, but in the case of “Inspired Light”, Rockon’s work is clear and vivid.
Patrick Rochon and Inifiniti’s “Inspired Light” collaboration saw Rochon attach a series of lights to a variety of Infiniti vehicles. Then a performance driver will take the wheel and guide the vehicle according to Rochon’s specfications. In the almost pitch-black environment of a warehouse and desert in Dubai, Rochon and his team produced these stunning images where the vehicle — like the Infiniti QX70S — is the paint brush. It’s truly masterful light painting photography by one of the form’s greatest artists.
“The real inspiration for light painting comes when you discover that light is a medium of infinite qualities – when you paint with it you create real surprises, some genuine ‘wows’. Throughout my career I have pushed the boundaries of what is possible and Infiniti shares my passion to bring new, fresh and exciting experiences. ‘Inspired Light by Infiniti’, using cars for the first time, takes light painting to the next level both as an art form and as an experience that is truly inspiring.”
Images
View in gallery
View in gallery
View in gallery
View in gallery
Patrick Rochon Infiniti Inspired Light | Gallery
View in gallery
Wacom has built a healthy reputation on developing some of the most popular stylus tablets for the world of graphic design. This month, Wacom has entered entirely new territory with the Wacom Nextbeat dj controller. Wacom Nextbeat is a stand-alone DJ controller that featuers a wide range of precision controls from effects to sampling to cue and more. If you’re a DJ, you can expect that Nextbeat provides the stable of functionality you desire, and unlike Wacom’s tablets, this one can operate entirely independent of a PC connection. Bring your iPod and your Nextbeat to the club, you’re fully ready to operate smoothly, Mr. Smooth Operator. No word on US release or pricing yet, but this will hit Japan in September for $1,796 USD (currency converted). [ nextbeat via limitedhype]
View in gallery
Wacom Nextbeat Gallery
Wacom Nextbeat Press Release
Wacom Co., Ltd. announced today the launch of a professional DJ interface device, nextbeat NXT-1000, which enables a whole new performance style.
The product is currently in development and is scheduled for an initial release in Japan and Europe this summer. Currently, dance music is one of the few music genres that are continuing to evolve, with many prominent professional DJs becoming musicstars. The market is expected to continually grow especially in Europe.
Wacom has been providing tools such as pen tablets mainly for digital content creators. The audience extends from professional digital artists who design and illustrate to general consumers who enjoy drawing and editing photographs on their computers. These tools have also been used to produce artworks of music records and to work music software. Thus, the company brand is well recognized also in the music industry. This led us to taking the newly developed sensitive touch detection technology to break into the music industry which is familiar with. nextbeat NXT-1000 will be the first step in this direction.
Nextbeat-1000 is an optimized interface for producing music and for DJs to perform in night clubs. The device does not require any external computers. It is as compact as a 30x30cm record sleeve with two music sources, a mixer, an effecter, and a sampler all built in, allowing optimal playability and durability for a professional DJ performance. Especially, the touch sensor with Wacom’s advanced sensing technology enables high speed detection of finger pressure and finger pointing accuracy to convert the players’ feelings into music and to fully bring out the creativity of musicians.
In addition, the portable control unit with a wireless function allows performers to move around with free from the main device. In contrast to the traditional style of DJs performing inside booths, being able to move closer to the audience creates a dramatic change, enabling the audience to feel more relation with the DJ.
The website for nextbeat NXT-1000 at “www.nextbeat.net” will be launched on the18th of March. The product will be presented to the public in Miami, U.S., during the Winter Music Conference scheduled through March 24th to 28th and the Musikmesse from April 1st to 4th in Frankfurt, Germany. nextbeat NXT-1000 will be shown at different events and details will be announced as schedules are set.
View in gallery
You can ignore every other set of Washington D.C. travel tips you read. There’s so much more to The District than the Capitol Building, a wax museum and a four-hour line for a White House tour. On many trips over the years, I’ve developed a list of must-see travel experiences that I can no longer keep to myself. If you love D.C. like I do, and you’re due for a visit, take these tips with you to experience something special.
[ All Photos and Video by Seamus Payne for TheCoolist.com. Follow Seamus on Instagram . ]
RELATED STORY : A Firsthand Look at Washington D.C.’s Hot Hotel, Neighborhood and Restaurant Options for 2015 Travel
1. The Surreal, Hypnotic “Light Tunnel” of the National Gallery of Art
The amazing light tunnel of the National Gallery of Art is one of D.C.’s best-kept secrets. It occupies a pedestrian tunnel beneath two wings of the gallery, a section of the building that most visitors might miss. This tunnel hosts the lighting artist Leo Villareal ‘s “Multiverse”, a constellation of 40,000+ LED bulbs. These bulbs are controlled by a software system that allows them to shift, twinkle, swirl and dance as guests view the show from below.
On my last visit to Washington D.C., seeing the light tunnel was a top priority. I brought my camera and spent a few hours on site producing the above video.
2. The Solemn Intimacy of the Lincoln Memorial at Night
View in gallery
Of all of the tourist hot spots in Washington, D.C., the Lincoln Memorial is one of the busiest. During the day, it can be a bit of a mess of selfie sticks, boy scout uniforms and sweat. In a crowd, it can be difficult to appreciate the sanctity of this monument. Fortunately, the memorial is open 24 hours a day, welcoming guests at all hours of the night.
I visited the Lincoln Memorial at the stroke of midnight, July 4th, 2015. The crowds were mostly driven away by rain, leaving me enough room to reflect on the monument and work with my camera. As a photographer, I knew that the above photograph could only be achieved at night, when all ambient daylight was gone from the interior. This brought out the subtle architecture behind President Lincoln that frames his figure and his message.
If you want to have some intimate time with Abe, or you want to capture a powerful photograph, visit the Lincoln Memorial at night.
3. Amazing International Food – and the Steak Frites of Bistrot du Coin
View in gallery
Washington D.C. is very much an international city. There’s a large population of foreign dignitaries and staff that come to D.C. and want a taste of home. That leads to many unique, lesser known restaurants around the city that cater to these cultures. If you do a little planning and research ahead of time, you can find some pretty special meals you’ll have a hard time finding elsewhere.
My personal favorite has its share of French and Mediterranean adherents — Bistrot du Coin in Dupont Circle. In contrast to many other French restaurants in the United States, there’s nothing pretentious or progressive about this place. The decor and the menu likely haven’t changed in the last decade. It’s traditional French food the way Grand-maman makes it.
My suggestion? Order Le Steak Maison. It’s your basic Steak Frites with Béarnaise, and it’s the best I’ve ever had. If you’re not feeling steak with fries and want something a bit more formal, try the Navarin d’agneau. That’s lamb stew in a light tomato garlic sauce with vegetables. You’ll be back for more.
4. The DC Metro as a Destination of its Own
View in gallery
I feel quite strongly that the DC Metro is the most important work of contemporary civic architecture in the United States. It is as functional as it is beautiful, a work of architecture that protects its guests while inspiring awe at the same time. It was recently awarded the 25 Year Award by the American Institute of Architects, an award given to projects that have stood the test of time.
Some daily commuters may loathe the system. As visitors, we’re granted fresh eyes to experience the DC Metro as its own work of art. When you visit Washington, D.C., I encourage you to look at the Metro not as a means to an end, but an end of its own. Take time to step off the subway and to walk through its stations. Experience it slowly. Look at the work of architect Harry Weese and really take in its almost other-worldly nature.
I first experienced the DC Metro at the age of 3, and it was the first time architecture really made an impression upon me. 30+ years later, and architecture is central to my livelihood. As a lifelong fan of architecture, I cannot stress how awe-inspiring and important this work of architecture is. I hope you see it as a destination of its own when you visit D.C.
5. Georgetown’s Historic Identity and Youthful Vibrance
View in gallery
When I travel to Washington, D.C., I stay in Georgetown. It is about as old as a community can get in the United States, but its spirit is young and progressive. There are buildings here in Georgetown that date back to the mid 1700’s, but today they’re occupied by Apple Stores, fashion brands and myriad cupcake shops.
One virtue about Georgetown is that it’s slightly off the beaten path of tourism. Sure, it gets plenty of out-of-town visitors each year, but its a bit out of reach of the Metro and it’s inconveniently far away from most of the museums and monuments. So it feels a little more neighborhood-ish than downtown D.C. proper.
This summer, I spent a long weekend in Georgetown at The Graham Hotel, a travel experience I shared with my friends (and for that trip, sponsors) at Booking.com. If you haven’t experienced a vacation in Georgetown, check out my full photo essay now.
