About J. Dan Wright

This website is a gallery of some of my favorite images over the years. I have a BA degree from Virginia Commonwealth University, in Communication Arts & Design, a dual emphasis on both still photography and motion picture production. When I first graduated college, I worked as a still photographer, mostly shooting on 35mm and medium format.

Back then we actually had to know what we were doing, as we shot on transparency film - often Kodachrome. This gave me a strong foundation to be able make an image happen under any conditions. Equipment doesn't matter, be it a Sinar 4" x 5" view camera, a Hassleblad or a housed digital Nikon. They are just a tool to help you make that image happen. One has to previsualize any powerful image in your mind before you can capture the frame. That is missing in today's world. I guess I am old school. We actually had to have our eyes open for details that are missing today. I do feel that digital capture & retouching have their place. I do use them. Just have perspective.

By the end of the 1990's, I got my foot into the door of the motion picture industry. I was always strong at lighting and logistics, so naturally I found a home in the set lighting department. I gradually moved into the specialized area of both lighting balloons and marine electric. I make a living primarlly doing motion picture production, TV and commericials in New York City. There is a catagory on this site for behind the scenes shots of lighting balloons in action on major theatrical releases.

I still dabble and shoot stills for various clients topside. I own large format camera gear for architectural images you will see here, as well as medium format for classic portraits. Finally the 35mm film cameras gave way to digital SLRs. I have not given up on film yet. It has its place. One must go with the strengths of any system. Digital SLRs have their place, especially in housings underwater. Of course they ca not do camera movements like a monorail view camera to make those stunning architecture images, but who could imagine taking a 4 x 5 underwater?

It's about the image and the emotional feeling it can generate that is important. I hope to be able to do that one day in my work. Until that time, I strive for the best I can do. Enjoy...

-Dan