A Masterclass in Light: Joe McNally Joins Tied By The Sea™ for a Historic Taiko Drum Portrait

Tiffany Tamaribuchi, Photo Courtesy of Tied By The Sea™

If you know Joe McNally, you know he is a master of light. He brings cinematic drama to every frame, spotlighting his subjects with a precision that feels both intentional and deeply human. But seeing McNally in action — shaping light, explaining his thought process, and refining a single frame — is nothing short of magical.

On a Sunday in July 2025, that magic came to life in Sacramento, California. Lieven and I invited the legendary photographer to collaborate on a portrait session unlike any other. The subject was Taiko Sensei Tiffany Tamaribuchi, and the setting was Sacramento Taiko Dan, home to the Nagado Odaiko, the largest drum of its kind in North America.

The dojo is a spacious warehouse filled with stage props and drums of all sizes, but the massive Odaiko instantly commands attention. Just standing in front of it invites a quiet sense of reverence.

“Can we touch it?” I asked, wide-eyed. “Yes, you can,” came the answer.

With that, the creative process began.

The goal was to capture Sensei Tiffany in a series of portraits that honored the intensity of her drumming and the quiet power of the drum itself. Joe approached the setup with his characteristic precision. By pulling the drum away from the wall, he created space to backlight it and produce a soft glow. He positioned lights on either side of the drum to emphasize its form and scale.

He stressed the importance of locking down the composition with a tripod, which allowed the team to adjust lighting without disrupting the frame. With the scene composed and three lights set, test shots began. Shadows, highlights, and angles were all adjusted in fine detail until the lighting was just right.

Once Tiffany stepped into the frame and began playing, the focus shifted to capturing her movement and presence without overpowering the glow around the drum. This is where McNally's brilliance truly emerged. His use of light added dimension and life to the images, building visual layers that made each frame feel immersive and grounded.

Not everything went perfectly. A persistent lighting shadow on the drum proved difficult to eliminate, and its reflective surface created technical challenges familiar to any seasoned photographer. Joe examined the scene, adjusted lights in height and angle, and continued experimenting until the solution revealed itself. After about 20 minutes of collaborative problem-solving, the final setup was ready.

Tiffany returned to her mark. This time, we added subtle highlights to enhance the intricate patterns on the back of her Happi. A few final tweaks followed, and the portrait was complete.

A drum. A Sensei. A camera. A pair of bachi. At one point, six lights.

Joe McNally's guidance throughout the day brought together vision, technical excellence, and improvisation! A true master at work! For us, it was an experience to remember!