Martin Newland, QPSA  

Dance Routine by Martin Newland, QPSA

December 2024 - Dance Routine

About the Image(s)


My regular Saturday morning walk takes me under our very expensive (AU$40 million) footbridge that spans the Torrens Lake in Adelaide.
Beneath the bridge, at one end there is a "mirror wall". This is a vertical, segmented mirror about 8m long x 2m high (approx 25feet x 7feet) and is situated beside a level, paved area; sheltered from the weather and is an ideal space for dancers/performers wishing to practice their art at no charge, albeit in public!
On this morning, as I passed under the footbridge, I could see this young lady practising her dance routine. I asked her if I could take some photos, she agreed and I took a number of photos. This one is my favourite, with her hair giving the image some "movement".
Later, she contacted me and I sent her some of the processed images.
The reflection in the mirror shows the lake behind her and the underside of the bridge above her.


Post processing: Denoised using Topaz Denoise.
Camera: Canon R5, 1/250sec,f/5.0, ISO12800
Lens: Canon RF 24-105mm F4L IS USM @ 105mm

7 comments posted

Shirley Pohlman   Shirley Pohlman
Your dancer must have really been moving fast to have her hair in this position, and you did so well in the stop action. We would not know she was moving if it weren't for that hair. I like the way she is on the 1/3 portion in both images of her and her eye contact to herself. The vertical and diagonal lines give the image lots to view. She must have been proud to get a copy.   Posted: 12/01/2024 20:09:25
Piers Blackett   Piers Blackett
Great capture showing her to be framed within a frame and enjoying the action-packed moment enhanced by the clothing lines and waving hair. You have used front and back light. I am learning from your choice of settings and am amazed by the low shutter speed......? best to avoid too much freezing. I also note image stabilization is aided by upgraded gear?   Posted: 12/06/2024 00:53:39
Martin Newland   Martin Newland
Thank you Piers.
I have rechecked the metadata the shutter speed of 1/250 is correct. The hair is slightly blurred in some other frames, and I can only assume that in this image her hair has reached the top of it's journey as is almost stationary before it falls again.
The lighting is natural lighting. This area could be described as open shadow. The actual sun is on "camera left." However the indirect light floods in from three sides and then is reflected back by the mirror. See the attached photo.

The new camera works well, but it has so many gizmos, that I doubt if I will ever use them all and appreciate the camera's full potential.
  Posted: 12/06/2024 23:50:27
Comment Image
Julie Deer   Julie Deer
(Group 40)
Wow Martin, you have a very interesting image here. Those purple pants are a knockout. Like Piers, I am surprised at the sharpness of the hair at that low shutter speed. The framing of the "two" people is well done. WEll captured. These Saturday walks are proving very fruitful for your photography!   Posted: 12/06/2024 22:39:15
Martin Newland   Martin Newland
Thank you Julie.
I must admit that I was not thinking too much about the shutter speed at the time. The aperture was nearly fully open and the ISO was cranked up to the maximum value I am happy using. So I was happy that these images were not seriously under exposed and had little movement blur, if any.
As I explained to Piers, above, I think her hair was at the top of it's journey and probably almost stationary before falling back to her shoulders.
The Saturday morning walks around the lake make a pleasant change to my usual haunts!   Posted: 12/07/2024 00:00:21
Jim Wulpi   Jim Wulpi
Very Interesting capture, Martin. I might not have noticed it myself had Shirley not referenced the 1/3, 1/3 aspect of this image. That, and the stopped-flailing hair really makes this image stand out.
You do appear to have interesting morning walks.   Posted: 12/10/2024 00:33:16
Karen Botvin   Karen Botvin
Great image, Martin. The reflection in the mirror that captures the background of a gal dancing and looking directly at herself really makes this image impactful. The hair movement takes it up to another level. Great job!   Posted: 12/16/2024 23:47:04

 

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