Lighting Whisperers: Eric Stoner & Joe McNally at Depth of Field 2023

Lighting Whisperers: Eric Stoner & Joe McNally at Depth of Field 2023

Author: B&H Photo & Video July 6, 2023 Duration: 47:04

Like good acting—and skilled retouching—masterful lighting is an accomplished skill that should remain mostly unseen. This is the takeaway from our conversations with two great lighting whisperers, Canon technical advisor Eric Stoner and Nikon Ambassador Joe McNally. We sat down with both of these experts earlier this year at B&H's 2023 Depth of Field Conference.

 

Our first guest is Eric Stoner, a Canon technical advisor who specializes in creating portraits with Speedlites and colored gels. He offers insights about the high degree of control these tools provide, describing how adding colored gels boosts creative improvisation and heightens impact. We also discuss the technological advances of the past 20 years, while reflecting on how great photography still hinges on learning the craft and connecting with your subjects.

 

After a break, Nikon Ambassador Joe McNally discusses his mission to light photographs in a way that provides an unfettered experience for the viewer. In addition, we explore his long and successful career as a working professional, from his formative years as a LIFE magazine staff photographer to the recent exhibition of those very same images in a fine art gallery. Stay to the end to learn about his latest book The Real Deal, which he wrote during COVID, and hear about his busy schedule of international workshops.

 Guests: Eric Stoner & Joe McNally

For more information on our guests and the gear they use, see: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/lighting-whisperers

Above photograph © Joe McNally

Stay Connected:
Eric Stoner Website: https://www.mystonegallery.net/
Eric Stoner Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericstonerphoto

Joe McNally Website: https://joemcnally.com
Joe McNally Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joemcnallyphoto
Joe McNally Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joemcnallyphoto
Joe McNally YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/joemcnallyphoto
Joe McNally Twitter: https://twitter.com/JoeMcNallyPhoto
Joe McNally Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/joemcnallyphoto


There's a conversation happening about photography that goes far beyond the latest camera review, and you can find it on the B&H Photography Podcast. Hosted by the team at B&H Photo & Video, this series sits down with a wide range of insightful and genuinely entertaining guests from across the photographic world. Every other week, these discussions delve into the practical realities of gear and technique, but they also wander into the richer territory of visual history, the surprising science behind an image, and the personal philosophies that drive artistic expression. What you'll hear feels less like a formal interview and more like eavesdropping on a passionate chat between experts, unpacking the ideas that actually matter to anyone making pictures today. Whether you're a seasoned professional curious about a colleague's process or an enthusiastic amateur looking to deepen your understanding, this podcast provides a thoughtful, accessible space to explore the entire ecosystem of photography. The result is a consistently engaging listen that reminds you why you picked up a camera in the first place, while giving you the concrete knowledge to use it better tomorrow. Tune in for a fresh perspective that connects the technical dots with the creative spark.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

B&H Photography Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Brandon Woelfel on Growing as a Photographer and Creator [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:31
In this episode, we sit down with New York-based photographer and content creator Brandon Woelfel (@brandonwoelfel) to discuss his personal journey as well as the growing pains of being modern creator and photographer. B…
Mixing Music with Pictures, with Bootsy Holler & Chris Ortiz [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:17:36
Although they cater to different senses, photography and music share much in common. In both these arts, timing, rhythm, and mood are key. It's been a while since we've mixed photography and music on the show, so we're p…
Next Frame: Be a Sponge for Creative Insights with Grace Mc Nally [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:31
"Inspiration doesn't have an age gap… Maybe you've heard it 100 times before, but this time it hits differently. Or this time, it's where it sinks in and you have that 'aha' moment." That's just one takeaway from our spi…
Dylan Lemay talks the Business of Ice Cream and Work-Life Balance [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:29
In this episode, we sit down with viral ice cream creator Dylan Lemay to spill the tea on what it really takes to grow as a modern creator. Dylan shares how his content creation journey began, how he built his audience,…
Finding Purpose in Your Pictures, with Matt Payne & Sean Tucker [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:15:43
How often do you think beyond the photos you make to consider the larger purpose they serve—both for yourself and, ideally, for a wider audience? In today's show, we explore this idea while connecting the dots between pi…
Peet Montzingo Talks Family, Career, and ADHD as a Superpower [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:30
In this episode we sit down with talented viral creator and musician Peet Montzingo to spill the tea on what it really takes to grow as a modern creator. Peet shares how he got started, how ADHD impacted his journey, the…