Oliver Morton, APSA
August 2026 - Irish Jig
Original
About the Image(s)
About 15 miles from my house is a place named Glen Echo. It’s a location where performers show their art. They have all kinds of performances… music, acting, dancing, and anything else you can imagine. When I went this time (almost 15 years ago), I was delighted to find that they were hosting women doing the Irish Jig. This is a dance that’s always fascinated me. I would watch it for hours.
My processing was fairly extensive since the lighting and background were challenging. Virtually all of it was done in Camera Raw with a bit of help from Topaz for noise reduction and sharpening.
Data: Canon 5D III; 135mm lens; 1/200 sec; f/2.0; ISO 400; spot metering; handheld.
9 comments posted
Pete
Your digital darkroom work produced a simply stellar image. The young lady is the star and the audience has been faed into the darkroom but still noticeable.
Well done
Emil Posted: 08/01/2026 14:34:11
Your digital darkroom work produced a simply stellar image. The young lady is the star and the audience has been faed into the darkroom but still noticeable.
Well done
Emil Posted: 08/01/2026 14:34:11
Thank you, Emil. It was a bit challenging to decide how much to fade the background. I'm glad you think it's appropriately done!
Posted: 08/02/2026 20:17:09
Posted: 08/02/2026 20:17:09
Pete - I can see why you were enthralled with the music and the dancing skills of this young lady. You took great care to emphasize the features of the dancer and the details of her clothing.
I don't know if it's my monitor but i see a touch of purple in her dress and I find her top to be gray vs white in the original. In any case i attempted a different version applying minimal post processing.
Cheers
Mike Posted: 08/02/2026 18:18:06
I don't know if it's my monitor but i see a touch of purple in her dress and I find her top to be gray vs white in the original. In any case i attempted a different version applying minimal post processing.
Cheers
Mike Posted: 08/02/2026 18:18:06
Mike, you're absolutely right! Her skirt has a hint of purple. I don't know how that happened, but I'm glad you spotted it. Thank you.
To me, the girl's face, arms, and legs/feet seemed to be the key portions of the image. Thus, darkening her shirt seemed appropriate, though having the shirt white certainly draws attention to her.
Posted: 08/02/2026 20:21:27
To me, the girl's face, arms, and legs/feet seemed to be the key portions of the image. Thus, darkening her shirt seemed appropriate, though having the shirt white certainly draws attention to her.
Posted: 08/02/2026 20:21:27
(Group 32)
Hello Pete,
Wonderful subject. I really like the purple.
We have not been to Glen Echo for years. Our last visit was to buy pottery by the kilo in the once-a-year sell-off. We ought to get out there more often. Posted: 08/04/2026 07:29:23
Wonderful subject. I really like the purple.
We have not been to Glen Echo for years. Our last visit was to buy pottery by the kilo in the once-a-year sell-off. We ought to get out there more often. Posted: 08/04/2026 07:29:23
Stephen, thanks for stopping by! Yes, Glen Echo is a wonderful location for photographers. Each week is different. I don't get there as often as I'd like.
Take care. Posted: 08/18/2026 22:55:34
Take care. Posted: 08/18/2026 22:55:34
HI Pete,
I like how you got the background blurred just enough not to distract from the young dancer.
I do see purple in her skirt, but I like it -- but I guess in this category it's not supposed to be there? Not sure !
I'm wondering if you could soften her edges a bit - maybe the girl is over-sharpend? As much as I love texture, I think she should be a bit softer around the edges, particularly her arms and legs. And her clothing.
So lucky you're able to do this type of photography; we have a local Ballet in Sacramento and you're not allowed to photograph anyone there ! :( Posted: 08/09/2026 22:09:10
I like how you got the background blurred just enough not to distract from the young dancer.
I do see purple in her skirt, but I like it -- but I guess in this category it's not supposed to be there? Not sure !
I'm wondering if you could soften her edges a bit - maybe the girl is over-sharpend? As much as I love texture, I think she should be a bit softer around the edges, particularly her arms and legs. And her clothing.
So lucky you're able to do this type of photography; we have a local Ballet in Sacramento and you're not allowed to photograph anyone there ! :( Posted: 08/09/2026 22:09:10
Hi Pete - very nice capture of the elegance of the young lady. I like your postprocessing, in particular the good job you did with the background audience, which is still visible but not distracting. I can only imagine the work that went into this but it paid well off. Br, A Posted: 08/12/2026 12:46:11
Hi Pete,
Greetings my friend.
I am sorry for my late review of our current edition, due to some unintentional issue.
First of, I loved the "Irish Jig" and the conversion is simply superb. For me the part of the conversion, didnt feel like a complete monochrome though. But I actually loved the final outcome, as it is. Although the conversion by Mike is also a lovely version for a monochrome. You have done a wonderful job. Thanks for sharing.
Cheers.
Kamal.
Posted: 08/23/2026 12:41:56
Greetings my friend.
I am sorry for my late review of our current edition, due to some unintentional issue.
First of, I loved the "Irish Jig" and the conversion is simply superb. For me the part of the conversion, didnt feel like a complete monochrome though. But I actually loved the final outcome, as it is. Although the conversion by Mike is also a lovely version for a monochrome. You have done a wonderful job. Thanks for sharing.
Cheers.
Kamal.
Posted: 08/23/2026 12:41:56