Dance Dance Dance

So at the end of every dance semester we get a chance to visit the class and see all the new things the little dancers have learned over the past few months. It's always fun for the girls as they get to show off to their parents and we parents get to ogle over just how brilliant our kids are as the skip and plie across the studio floor.

What could be a better opportunity for the capturing of historic photos as these future stars show off their first great dance moves… right?

NOT... or at least not for me.

The lighting is horrible, the backgrounds way too busy, and the freedom of movement is limited so the idea of creative perspective is limited at best. Honestly, I hate it but I take the camera with me every time anyway.

That said, I was able to pop off a few shots during Caroline's last jazz class a couple of weeks ago that I actually like.

This first one was done by simply placing the camera down on the floor.

1D Mark III w/ 28-135 f/3.5-5.6 1/250s, f/5.6, 53mm, iso 400, Flash on

The obvious problem with this image is the mat that seems to be growing out of Caroline's head.

Here's similar one, without the mat issue, but with a less interesting dance pose.

1D Mark III w/ 28-135 f/3.5-5.6 1/250s, f/5.6, 53mm, iso 400, Flash on

Both were cropped 16:9 to help remove some of the distractions and accentuate Caroline's stretching position.


This one is my favorite.

1D Mark III w/ 28-135 f/3.5-5.6 1/20s, f/5.6, 28mm, iso 400, Flash second curtain

This was shot with a slow shutter and the flash set to second curtain to help capture the movement as I paned with Caroline's leap over the shoes. Also notice the rest of the family, including the photographer, neatly framed by Caroline’s extended arm and leg. Yes, that's us in the mirror's reflection along with Caroline's instructor in the mirror frame left. Pretty neat capture if I have to say so myself.

This last one is the obligatory student with teacher portrait. It came out ok but I really need to leave these to Terry as she is much better at making these shot not look like simple snapshots.

1D Mark III w/ 28-135 f/3.5-5.6 1/50s, f/5.6, 50mm, iso 400, Flash on

Alas, today starts another semester and more chances to hone my skills within these difficult conditions.