I like the idea of capturing a split-second in time, a moment which can never be recreated in exactly the same way.
Jump!
PencheFor this photo I used an aperture of f/5.6 so that only her hands are in focus. In Photoshop I darkened the tutu slightly to give it more definition.
Stretch
Splits
Self Portrait with Pointe ShoesIn 2008 this photo took third place in Momentum: Images of Dance – the Sanford L Rosenburg Memorial Dance Photography Competition, and my photo was displayed at the CFA Theatre at Wesleyan University in Middletown, USA, in March 2008.
3rd Arabesque
Spin
Laid Back
Sisters
Sisters
Sisters
Cartwheel
Jump!
Dance!
The spotlights in the hall we were using came in very useful, making the distracting background dark, while highlighting the shapes and lines created. I increased the contrast to add to the graphic quality of the image.
1st ArabesqueAgain I used the spotlights to darken the background and create a graphic image. I like the contrast between the rough floorboards and tutu, and the dancer’s smooth back and the curve of her arms.
CurtsyI lay on the floor, to make it look as though she is looking out at an audience.
ShowI leant on a chair to hold the camera as steady as possibly, and then used a fairly slow shutter speed (1/15sec), in order to slightly blur the movement. It was important, however, not to use too slow a shutter speed, as this would have meant that it would be impossible to tell what is going on – I didn’t want just one big blur!
PirouetteThis is my favourite shot, because of its simple, graphic, quality. I love the effect that the single spotlight has had. There has been very little manipulation, only a slight contrast adjustment and conversion to black and white.
SpotlightUsing a wide aperture of f/5.6 enabled me to focus only on one hand. I then added the border in Photoshop Elements, because I thought it needed something extra.
Hands at the BarreThe dancer's feet seemed so small in contrast to the big tutu, and I just had to take a photo of them. This is a very simple image, but I really like it. I toned and added some grain to the image using Photoshop, to give it a gritty quality.
Little FeetTaken in my dining room, I placed the camera on the floor and triggered it using a remote control. I selectively decreased the saturation of the background using layer masks in Photoshop Elements, to draw attention to the shoes.
Old ShoesTaken in my kitchen, this image is made up of three photos that I merged in Photoshop to give a panoramic format. I also used layer masks to darken the corners of the photo, to draw the viewer’s eye inwards.
My Ballet ShoesThis photo is of the sole of one of my pointe shoes.
Sonata Pointe ShoeI focused in close using a wide aperture to create these two abstract photos.
Tutu Layers
