Coda
11 Octobers ago, I went to photograph “Children’s Celebration of The Arts” for Cary Citizen.
I was trying to figure out how to connect with the place I’d lived for a dozen years but didn’t know because of work.
I’d told Hal and Lindsey I wanted to photograph small events, with heart
I found that and what has become, the soul of my art and my extended family
Andrea Huynh – Children’s Celebration of The Arts
Cary Ballet Conservatory 16 Oct 2010
Rehearsal for The Gala
It’s called Youth America Grand Prix but it’s truly an International Dance Competition.
They know who knows dance
Which explains Cary Ballet’s invitation to perform in the YAGP México Gala in Orizaba, Veracruz.
And good reason to make some promo photographs in Studio A at Cary Ballet Conservatory.
Cary Ballet dancers will perform two world premiere pieces by Krista King-Doherty
Guided by Cary Ballet Artistic & Professional Training Program Director Mariaelena Ruiz
And it was good to get some time in Studio with this bunch!
Cary Ballet Conservatory – 7 October 2021
“Light As Air and Quick As Lightning”
Letter from Abigail Adams to her sister, Mary Smith Cranch. Paris, 20 February, 1785
“The first dance which I saw upon the Stage shoked me, the Dress’es and Beauty of the performers was enchanting, but no sooner did the Dance commence, than I felt my delicacy wounded, and I was ashamed to bee seen to look at them. Girls cloathd in the thinest Silk: and Gauze, with their peticoats short Springing two foot from the floor poising themselves in the air, with their feet flying, and as perfectly shewing their Garters and draws, as tho no peticoat had been worn, was a sight altogether new to me.”
“Their motions are as light as air and as quick as lightning. They balance themselves to astonishment. No description can equal the reality.”
“Shall I speak a Truth and say that repeatedly seeing these Dances has worn of that disgust which I first felt, and that I see them now with pleasure. … The art of dancing is carried to the highest degree of perfection that it is capable of; at the opera.”
Just One More
When a Dancer asks, my answer is always, yes!
Dancer Isabelle Burke
Cary Ballet Conservatory – 5 June 2021
“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
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 Class
Between Matinee and Evening Performances – Cary Ballet Company “2019 Spring Works”
15 March 2019 Cary Arts Center
Deja Vu – Stage Light #57
Dancer Reynu Wood
Tech Rehearsal for Cary Ballet Company “Spring Works”
13 March 2019 Cary Arts Center
Deja Vu – There’s An App For That
Dress Rehearsal “Spring Works” Mixed Repertoire by Cary Ballet Company
Cary Arts Center 15 March 2018
Dancer Sydney UpchurchLast Frame
Today, they put up with me fussing about with lights for two hours in head shot sessions. This was the very last image.
Before The Ghost Light #8
Dancer Miranda Thomas
Cary Ballet ADC/IBC Theater Preview
Cary Arts Center 11 March 2020 – Galleries Here
Before The Ghost Light #7
Dancer Madison Rower
Cary Ballet ADC/IBC Theater Preview
Cary Arts Center 11 March 2020 – Galleries Here
Before The Ghost Light #6
Dancer Sophia Pistone
Cary Ballet ADC/IBC Theater Preview
Cary Arts Center 11 March 2020 – Galleries Here
Stage Light #70
Dancer Jenna Bruce
Cary Ballet ADC/IBC Theater Preview
Cary Arts Center 12 March 2020 – Galleries Here
Before The Ghost Light #5
Dancer Hannah Case
Cary Ballet ADC/IBC Theater Preview
Cary Arts Center 12 March 2020 – Galleries Here
Before The Ghost Light #4
Dancer Olivia Sacchetillo
Cary Ballet ADC/IBC Theater Preview
Cary Arts Center 12 March 2020 – Galleries Coming Really Soon
Before The Ghost Light #3
Dancer Mary Wyatt Johnson
Cary Ballet ADC/IBC Theater Preview
Cary Arts Center 12 March 2020 – Galleries Coming Soon
The Windows in Studio A #25
Dancer Valentina Facal
Cary Ballet Conservatory: 22 January 2020 YAGP Preview Galleries
The Windows in Studio A #24
Dancer Felipe Valentini
YAGP Preview Cary Ballet Conservatory 22 January 2020
The Windows in Studio A #23
Dancer Ariela Gibson
YAGP Preview Cary Ballet Conservatory 22 January 2020
The Windows in Studio A #22
Dancer Amanda Holt
YAGP Preview Cary Ballet Conservatory 22 January 2020
It’s So Last Year – December YAGP Theater Previews
I planned to have these done 3 weeks ago – Owen is quite right to be incredulous
Galleries here YAGP Theater Preview 17 & 18 Dec 2019
The Windows in Studio A #21
Dancers Reynu Wood and Joshua O’Connor
YAGP Preview Cary Ballet Conservatory 22 January 2020
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