Backlit II
Another photographer mistake as I ignored the limits of my lights
My bet is, she’ll forgive me
Cary Ballet Conservatory – 5 June 2021
Tough Customer
Bookings since late May (hallelujah!) have delayed the edit of these Studio Recital photographs until today.
Aiming to finish and post by late Saturday. This was the first of a long and unusual day. Which I loved.
I’m anxious to see them too and sure I better deliver – or else!
Pre-Ballet 4-6 Year Old
Cary Ballet Conservatory Studio Recital – 5 June 2021
Backlit
Sometimes, a photographer sets his main light to full power.
And knows it will take 1.7 seconds to recycle
But he gets in the moment and fires in .5 seconds. And pretends he planned it.
Cary Ballet Conservatory – 5 June 2021
Why I Know Everything Will Be Okay
Pre-Ballet 4-6 Year Old
Cary Ballet Conservatory Studio Recital – 5 June 2021
Just One More
When a Dancer asks, my answer is always, yes!
Dancer Isabelle Burke
Cary Ballet Conservatory – 5 June 2021
Jump
Maiden voyage with converted theater light
“Chasing The Bird”
Refreshing my Portfolio site, I let go and reached back in the memory bank for moments when you just know. My hunch is, it happens to dancers and musicians too. It’s practice and planning and work and sometimes it all becomes something more. Alchemy.
I’ve put maybe 700 or 800 K shutter actuation’s on 11 DSLR’s since 2007. My Lighting Class students make jokes about all the light gear I haul into class. The Sales Manager at Mole Richardson in Hollywood emails engineering drawings of obsolete accessories. There are replacement reflectors heading my way for the ones I used to modify theater ellipsoids. Also in transit is a 10″ Top Hat from eBay and some Gobos for the Mole Focal Spot. And there’s a triple riser wheeled Junior in the upstairs hall next to my old tripod with a new quick release assembly that came via Royal Mail (wore out the casting). “The Bird”, Charley Parker understood it: “You’ve got to learn your instrument.”
And I took some more of Bird’s advice: “Then, you practice, practice, practice. And then, when you finally get up there on the bandstand, forget all that and just wail.”
My work has changed in the 3 years since I made this but it was five years after my Epiphany. This is a fresh edit from the Digital Negative from the part of the session that was all improv, real jazz. Portraits are always a collaboration and when there is mutual trust, man, you can wail.
Studio Session with Ms Olivia Vessillo
Professional Training Program at Cary Ballet Conservatory – 26 Dec 2017
Stage Light #74
Cary Ballet Company Tech Rehearsal for “Don Quixote”
Online Galleries Here: Cary Ballet Company 2021 “Spring Works”
The Indulgence of a Muse – Redux
In 1979, MoMA in NYC presented “Ansel Adams and the West” [MoMA Exh. #1273, September 5–October 28, 1979]
It was a retrospective that included versions of prints he made from the same negative, over 20 years.
Like Eric Clapton sang, trying to “get the music right”
This only took me 3 years
Her patience and trust allowed the slower pace and uncertain outcome of film
I’ve been very lucky – when I needed a Muse, the Muse was there
Studio Session with Mikayla McKean – Cary Ballet Conservatory, 20 May 2018
Stage Light # 73
Online Galleries Here: Cary Ballet Company 2021 “Spring Works”
Dancer Kali Bartasavich
Photographer Pandemic Therapy #3
Sunday got busy so I watched 60 Minutes tonight. And heard a voice from long ago and one I thought impossible.
Today, I stood in the parking lot of a dance school discussing their outdoor recital and praised their endurance.
Two weeks ago, I photographed dancers in theater without audience – in masks.
And un-friended a sister-in-law who sniped about that.
A young woman who I greatly admire described her moment when she knew she was an artist
I was sixty before I had the courage
Art matters
Anthony Roth Costanzo of NC Opera with Brussels Chamber Orchestra
Cary Arts Center 10 August 2012
Cary Ballet Company “2021 Spring Works”
Online Galleries Here: Cary Ballet Company 2021 “Spring Works”
Photographer Pandemic Therapy #2
3D Jazz Project Promo “Jazz Around The World”
Cary Ballet Conservatory 24 Feb 2019
Earth Photo by NASA
Stage Light #72
Cary Ballet Company Rehearsal for “Spring Works”
Fletcher Theater, Raleigh 16 April 2021
Stage Light #71
Cary Ballet Company Rehearsal for “Spring Works”
Fletcher Theater, Raleigh 16 April 2021
The Windows in Studio A #26
Studio Rehearsal for Cary Ballet Company “Spring Works”
Cary Ballet Conservatory 10 April 2021
Tiny Dancers #4
Yesterday afternoon was life affirming and just wonderful.
Next week, Video vs Audience but in Theater!
Studio Rehearsal for “Spring Works” at Cary Ballet Conservatory 10 April 2021
Only Yesterday
I’m pretty sure I’m going to get a phone call about this. And take a Mk 1 Mod 0 Butt Chewing
The morning he was born, I walked an empty Shopping Mall, waiting for “One Hour Film” to be be developed.
Wasn’t walking, I was floating. And scared silly I was responsible for this new life and had no clue.
Commissioning Ceremony at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill – 24 May 2008
Comfort
Sometimes, when you make a photograph, it’s captured in your camera and your heart.
And later, you go back and see it anew. And edit your memory.
Before I mashed the button, I asked Mom’s permission with my facial expression. She nodded assent.
Studio Showcase for Youngest Dancers – Cary Ballet Conservatory 18 May 2019
Rehearsal & Performance Galleries
Photographer Pandemic Therapy
Cary Ballet Company 2018 “Spring Works” Cary Arts Center
Space & Tech Rehearsal 13 March
Matinee Performance – 17 March
