Billyspad Loc: The Philippines

The lady is Mrs Billy who was a classically trained dancer choreographer and dance teacher. The setting is Mrs Billy's ancestral home which is no longer in the hands of the family but owned by a trust who are slowly restoring it to its former glory.
The shot was not staged but spontaneous, I knew it would be impossible for her to walk across that polished floor without breaking into dance or taking up position.

For your consideration

(Download)

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

I keep intending to look at the photo/s in a topic before I read the intro, and I keep forgetting :| I think to offer a constructive and unbiased opinion it's important to have the photo stand on its own. Maybe in another 3 years I'll break the bad habit.

Soooo, looking at the image without thinking about what you wrote, my first thought is how wonderful the shot would be if the dancer were on the right side and a bit closer to the front.

Her hands and the raised foot each touch a piece of the background, unfortunately.

I love the light, and even without being told, I think I can sense this woman is a dancer and the setting is ballroom that has seen neglect.

I see many stories that could be depicted here. Hope you'll revisit, even if the moment isn't spontaneous :)

Billyspad Loc: The Philippines

Revisiting is easy Linda my wife's family home is in the same grounds and sits next door. We have unlimited access to the property. Mrs Billy although a performer on stage for many years and is in love with the world of dance etc seriously does not pose!
I can be sure she will walk that floor and break into dance but the swan will not appear it may be a quickstep or the jitterbug. This shot is the result of a five year wait lol
A translucence white gown and a couple of lights set up is what I would like but then I would have to tie my model to a chair!!!!

Thank you for calling by Linda. Very much appreciated.

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

This is a hard one to critique, because it is best appreciated as a story rather than an image, and I find myself wanting to critique the story instead. So, I will try to find middle ground, and critique both of them together.

The story, the concept, and the subjects are exquisite. A graceful and beautiful moment, and magic captured in pixels.

As for execution, you have some issues to address which I am sure you know. There is the lost sky, which may or may not be redeemed in processing but if not, perhaps you could steal one from elsewhere. The contrasty lighting and reflected colors seem to have created problems on her arms. There are stray purples and blues here and there that look like chromatic aberration but may instead be reflections off edges of glass, but are distractions nonetheless. The swayed/splayed appearance of the verticals on the right bothers me.

Your rather masterful processing skills should be put to work on this one, to manage the issues and maximize the beauty, which is the story. You can't reposition her without reshooting (unfortunately her raised hand and foot are intersecting with part of the setting) but you can use your magic to resolve some of the challenges. There is more to be found in the setting and the dancer, and mitigation for physical limitations of digital capture and the placement of things in a spontaneous moment.

Still lovely, and well worth the work to maximize it.

Singing Swan

She has beautiful form, such grace. Such delicacy. Your five year wait was worth it. Please give MrsBilly my best as usual.

There are those, like minnie, who can tackle the technical aspects, but from an artistic point of view, this photo brings forth a sense of space and freedom from the openness of the room and the dancer's position within it. Freedom from observation, free to dance from the soul and not to please others, only for herself.

And memories ... I get a sense of many memories here within this room, within the dancer's mind, and even from the people not present. I'm sure post processing can make something different of this photo, but I like it just like it is. There is a sense of 'abandonment', but also a sense of 'presence' ... It is hard to reconcile the two.

One -- I see coolness and MrsBilly escaping for a few minutes from her hectic day...the other I see this room glittering with candles and ladies in fine dress...one image lies over the other in a strange double exposure.

Maybe I should just get a second cuppa. :) :) I like your five year shot!!! Period!

Billyspad Loc: The Philippines

Thank you for your comments min. Very much appreciated.

Billyspad Loc: The Philippines

You have hit the nail on the head as to what I saw. Mrs Billy totally escapes the real world at moments like this. Like any trained dancer she is incredibly graceful which is shown in these very rare moments. A quiet sometimes quite shy woman who blossoms when even taking a few dance steps. You are right her soul is on show.
Thank you for your observations and I have passed on your best wishes to her.

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

I'm torn. I feel that this photo is all about the dancer. That being the case, I would like to see a closer crop. Then, I see all the detail in the room and it becomes context that is important to the composition. There is a sense of what this room was at one time. Then there are furniture items that are incongruities that make the whole image quite interesting. I wish the window by her head were not so bright. I don't know if I would change anything; I like the photo and, if you take your intro into consideration, it must be very meaningful and important to you. Thank you for posting.

waltchilds Loc: Central Florida

Billy, you keep outdoing yourself. This is excellent. The composition, color and tones are really nice. Nicely done.

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

Well, Billy, I suppose what everyone else has said about the photo is true, but I also like the work as it is. More importantly, apparently you like it, and that's what is important above all else. :thumbup:

Billyspad Loc: The Philippines

Its an interesting point as to why one likes a picture John. My wife suddenly and out of the blue breaking into dance was not totally unexpected but magic when it happens so I am a tad biased on this one.
Thanks for calling by my friend.

mallen1330 Loc: Chicago western suburbs

As an architectural photographer, I love this image. It is a wonderful celebration of the space, the ornate history of the physical place, elegantly embraced by the joy of the dancer.

Billyspad Loc: The Philippines

I think it has many faults mainly caused by lack of time to compose the shot and wrong lens screwed to the camera. It was a Sigma 10-20 set to 20mm.
But on the other side of the coin I saw what you saw and maybe one day will get a chance to set it up and shoot it properly. The house is just lovely in parts so if you find yourself in Phils we will take you and your camera there as our guest.
Thank you for calling round my friend and commenting.