Name: Thomas Vaillancourt
Role: Stills Photographer
Q: As a photographer, what does photography mean to you?A: Photography is one of my most creative outlets. I think most people have a deep need to create, and that creative need is often frustrated with the everyday requirements of modern life. I try to set aside time to do those creative things.
Q: Are there any special challenges you found with taking photos on a film shoot?
A: If there was a ‘pecking order’ on the set, I was at the bottom. I had to be behind all the cast and crew, and they kept shifting around. So I kept moving my camera and tripod to find a ‘hole’ to shoot from.
Q: How did you find out about this movie?
A: My wife, Judy, was an extra and I came along out of curiosity.
Q: From the photos you took on set, which are your favorites?
A: One of my favorites would be the one with Chloe [role of Marta] and Victoria [role of Rachel]. It shows a deep eye-to-eye connection they shared. It is a sacred and personal moment. And if you were to draw a line from Chloe to Victoria, it would form a diagonal. Diagonal structures in a photo tend to be more interesting that horizontal ones.
My second favorite would be the one with Victoria in the background and Johanna [1st AD] in the foreground. It captures the contrast between the historical past as represented by Victoria and the contemporary present, represented by Johanna. It doesn’t hurt the photo that they are both beautiful women. There is also the diagonal compositional element present in this photo also.
Q: What got you started in photography?
A: I got my first real camera in Tokyo when I was on R&R (rest and recuperation) in the Army during the Vietnam War. My first real photo shoot was of the Bob Hope Christmas show at Long Binh in December 1968. I was picked to be on the stage crew so I had an opportunity to get some close-up shots of Bob Hope and Ann Margaret.
Q: Do you prefer taking photos in color, or in black and white?
A: I know many photographers prefer black and white, but I am not one of them. I look at it this way: If I had to choose between seeing the world only in black & white or in full color, my choice would not be difficult. I would choose color in a heartbeat.
Q: What are your favorite subjects to photograph?A: I really enjoy shooting people, but I don’t get a lot of opportunity to do that. That is one reason it was a treat for me to shoot on the movie set. I also enjoy waterscapes, wildlife, and bridges.
Q: Tell your funniest, scariest, most bizarre, most touching story from a photo shoot!
A: I had the good fortune to go on a cruise for photographers that originated in Montreal and cruised around to Boston, stopping at many interesting ports on the way. Members of this group attended classes on photography when we were on the ship and went on photo shoots when we put into port. We were really able to connect with our instructors and with others attending the workshops. My richest memories always involve the bonds I have had the privilege to form with other people. On that cruise I also fell in love with the City of Quebec and was awed by the beauty of Acadia National Park in Maine.
Q: Is there anybody or anything you would love to photograph (and haven't had the chance yet)?
A: There are many really talented actors and actresses I would love to shoot. Bjork, the singer/actress comes to mind. Actors/actresses communicate as much with their eyes and facial expressions as they do with their spoken words. To capture those silent soul messages in a photograph would be just fabulous.
Q: What is your advice to someone who wants to be a photographer?A: Concentrate on learning good composition. And then learn everything you can about post-production editing with Photoshop.
Q: If someone wants you to take photos at an event, how do they contact you?
A: You can call me on the phone at 845-294-7361 or email me at: croton@warwick.net. They can see some of my work at www.postersfromtheheart.com by clicking on the ‘photo gallery’ link.
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