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On his birthday, Conan O'Brien was here at ILM to record segments for his upcoming, week long show in San Francisco.
Earlier in the day, I ran into Conan, and our introduction started by him spotting my Leica, and informing me that the picture I quickly grabbed of him would not expose very well since I had the lens cap on. This was a first. A first for meeting Conan, and a first that I forgot to remove the lens cap in a rush to grab a quick shot. We talked Leica for a few, and then he went off with his crew to have fun with the animators.
Later that day, while setting up one of the gag shots for his segment on his visit to ILM, Conan and his crew were pondering their moments with ET, who happens to have a permanent home with a fixed gaze that beams directly into my office.
It was my chance to make up for the black cell that occupied an early spot on my roll of Delta 400. The light was blasting in from the sky-bridge to the right, and cast a perfect halo around Conan's gigantic head, and onto the matte-painting on the wall behind him.
The image is candid, and not staged. He was reacting to a conversation from his producer, and the camera men that were talking about what they were going to shoot.
I attended the show in the audience. Afterwards, backstage, I presented a framed print of this image to him. It was a true honor, and I am so flattered that he honestly loved the print.
19 Responses
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On 3 December 2007 Laurie Search gave props:
Great story, great photo! You ended up with a great shot.
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On 15 December 2007 Paco Jurgen Von Szkora gave props:
what great shot and story. conan has long been a favorite of mine and this is exactly the kind of photo that explains why. i don't know what you missed with your lens cap on the first time around, but this shot is great. thanks for sharing this on jpg.
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On 18 December 2007 Ronnie Ginnever gave props:
Great and so funny, I love it.
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On 16 January 2008 Christina McNeill said:
I love it! Great story too! And, mucho kudos to you for getting a model release from him! How awesome is that?
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On 24 January 2008 Sean Hall said:
lovely! haha, and the ghostbusters painting in the back is very classy. It must a very interesting place, where you work.
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On 28 February 2008 Mr. T gave props:
Fantastic capture! Conan's face is priceless! This rocks
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On 28 February 2008 Mrs T gave props:
the image was already great, but the story behind it makes it perfect!
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On 29 February 2008 anna ana said:
i love this guy! :D
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On 4 May 2008 Howard Seelig said:
Great shot and story.
But how dare you belittle "Vigo" as just a "matte-painting on the wall behind him."
That is 'VIGO"!!! -
On 11 May 2008 Angela Wiser gave props:
Excellent Shot.
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On 23 May 2008 Amelia (amy) Quicke gave props:
Conan is great.....;love this shot
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On 28 May 2008 JoAnna Webb said:
this is great-very nice job : ]
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On 1 June 2008 Sarah Hawkins gave props:
Great story.
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On 4 June 2008 melanie scott gave props:
awesome shot! gotta love the cone!
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On 24 June 2008 Christina McNeill added a link:
this photo is brilliant. props man, check the jpg blog! (jpgmag.com)
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On 25 June 2008 Joel Goodman said:
It really is a fantastic shot. I saw this a few months ago and just thought how incredible it feels.
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On 25 June 2008 Eric Hart said:
That's just, well, fantastic in every single way.
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On 25 June 2008 Shannon Dagher gave props:
I loved this @ FILE...so glad JPG blogged it so I could favorite it here! This is an increibly well thought out & shot image. SO visually interesting. I love it in B&W. Conan's face is brilliant; a lot "darker" than we're used to seeing him. The lighting is beautiful. And I LOVE the painting of the Muldavian from Ghostbusters II in the background. Brillz all around; love the backstory! :)
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On 26 June 2008 Marie Wilson gave props:
This is a great photo. And wonderful story. When Conan was here my son went to see him at the local TV station and challenged him on air to a scalp moving contest. Conan was game and the result which I saw on TV was hysterical! Conan rocks, so does your shot!
Also by Joel Aron
