Running Head: HOW TO PHOTOGRAPH DANCE

How to Photograph Dance Nora Mattingly Youth Performing Arts School

HOW TO PHOTOGRAPH DANCE Abstract Photographing dance can be a very challenging ordeal. Often the photographer is faced with bad lighting, capturing motion, and working with different angles to capture that perfect moment. The purpose of this paper is to receive approval to experiment

with different photographing techniques to find out how to capture the best dancing shots possible. My guiding question is, what are the most effective strategies for photographing dance. Within this topic I will be focusing on four main categories to answer this guiding question. In this paper, a reader can expect to find an extensive planning process, which includes elements such as initial research, a timeline, and resources that will be used throughout the project. In the end, I will have successfully fulfilled my duties as a dance major at the Youth Performing Arts School.

HOW TO PHOTOGRAPH DANCE How to Photograph Dance I decided to focus on dance photography for my senior project because I have come to enjoy photography more and more over the years, but dancing is my first love. Therefore, I mixed these two art forms together. The categories chosen came from

looking at various dance photographs and determining what major factors I could control to get the best outcome. For example, I want to see the different emotions invoked by using black and white versus colored film. Although I havent been working with film cameras very long, I felt it would be a challenge for me and it would also give me the chance to manually control the shots. I am extremely excited to move forward with my project and to explore the world of dance photography. Dance photography is an art form that has very little written about it. It is very different from most action types of photography due to the setting and movement. This paper shows the outline of my senior project as I try to answer, how to photograph dance? I will be exploring different techniques in an attempt to capture the best shot. My four main categories of my project include comparing different techniques. Throughout this project I hope to collect valuable tips on how to photograph dance. Initial Research and Guiding Question After my initial research, I was left with so many more questions. The sources assignment helped me gather some really good ideas on what to focus on throughout my project. My first source gave me some fascinating information on basic photographing skills and techniques. It stated, Because of the chemical composition of black and white emulsions, fast film have a distinctly more 'grainy' appearance than slow films when enlarged... if very pronounced, can lead to an image lacking in clearly defined detail and

HOW TO PHOTOGRAPH DANCE with poor contrast" (Hedgecoe, 1990, p.34). This whole section on black and white film convinced me to mainly use black and white film during my project. Even though poor lighting can lessen the quality of the photograph, I would really like to play around with how much you can do with black and white film. I just need to be careful and use it properly. What different emotions can this type of photography convey? How does it

differ from colored photography? I am used to photographing in color so this will be very new. Another one of my sources was about mastering light. It stated that, Changing the viewpoint is a photographers most important means of controlling the way the picture will look. Sometimes moving the camera only slightly can transform the whole composition (Kodak, 1984, p.20). This is a whole new concept for me! I was so used to photographing movement straight on, that this opened my mind to what all I could do to make a more dynamic photograph. What angles can be used to capture an interesting photograph? What if I just focus on a specific dancer? What if I dont focus on a dancer at all, but a specific body part like the hand or foot? There are so many things to explore. My guiding question for this project is what are the best strategies for photographing dance. This is a fairly broad topic, but I have narrowed my focus down to four major categories. These include black and white v. color, digital v. film, posed v. action, and photographing my own choreography versus someone elses. Through this project I hope to discover major tips I can share to get the best dance photographs. I hope to explore various styles and techniques and broaden my view on photography. There are so many ways this project could take me. I could ask questions about the best lighting. Is it better to shoot dancing photos with a flash or natural light? I could play around with how I physically take the photograph. What is the best angle to capture an interesting

HOW TO PHOTOGRAPH DANCE shot? I can look into what my photographs can do for those around me. How can I broaden others view on the art form? What emotions can I convey by using black and white film. What about colored film? Is it easier to photograph a dance I have created because I am familiar with the movement? Is digital easier because you can instantly see

the results? I wont know unless I discover and explore, which will undoubtedly bring up more questions to tackle. Next, I need to remain focused in my major categories and work towards mastering the art of photographing dance. Procedures Although this project covers something I am interested in, it will be very challenging to complete all that is required to make my project a success. My first step is to photograph my own choreography. I will need to ask for rehearsal space, which might be a bit challenging, to be able to accomplish this portion of my project. My next step will be to photograph during a rehearsal for someone elses work. I will need to talk to Ms. Herndon or Ms. Ruttan to ask permission to sit in and photograph some of their rehearsals. After completing this step I can focus on my four main topics. This will give me the chance to photograph my own work and that of another, allowing me to compare and contrast on my experiences with each. Next, I will need to ask a couple dancers to participate in a photo shoot. This might get tricky when scheduling times around everyones busy schedule. For the most part, people enjoy getting their photos taken and there are many people to ask. So, hopefully, this wont be a problem. I will then need to photograph them using different techniques to explore into my remaining three topics. So I can take photos with black and white film, with colored film, and digitally. I can use all of the photographs I have taken

HOW TO PHOTOGRAPH DANCE to this point and apply them to my main topics. The will help me to experiment with these different styles of photography so I can better explain them in my project. I would like to take these photographs outside in natural light to get the best outcome. I have not yet decided which locations would serve as the best background. My largest concern throughout the project will be the qualities of my photographs. I am not very familiar with using film, so this could be a challenge. Im worried that either my film wont turn out or that I wont be able to catch an adequate shot. I guess this is the point of my project, though. I want to figure out what works and what doesnt. I can always try again. I am very fortunate because I have a photography teacher to go to if I need any instructions. Also, manual has a very well equipped dark

room I can utilize to develop my film. All in all, I am extremely excited for this project to be underway. The final step for the project will be to host a gallery to show my work. This will be my final product. This will take a lot of work to get together, but I believe it could be a really neat way to showcase my work. I will first need to find a location to host it and contact them. After the location is booked and settled I must determine what I need. Do I need to serve food or drinks? A major part of this portion of my project will be to figure out the best way to advertise for this event. There are a couple options. This can be done by hanging poster of the event around Manual and YPAS, creating a Facebook event, or even contacting the location and asking them to post a notice for the event on their website. The Last step will be to choose the photographs I would like to showcase and prepare for the show. Timeline and Evidence

HOW TO PHOTOGRAPH DANCE The following chart includes the timeline for my project. This includes the dates for my

photo shoots, when I will develop the photos, and when the journal and time logs are due. It also states the evidence I will provide for each part of my project. Week # 1 Dates Oct. 27Nov. 2 Activity Ask teacher if I can sit in their rehearsal on October 28th Evidence Email exchange and note signed by teacher Photographs from the rehearsal and signed note from teacher Notes from that experience Dancers will sign a paper agreeing to help with my project Journal entry Photographs from the photo shoot Signed note from Mr. Curtis Notes reflecting on that experience Estimated Hours 10 mins.

Nov. 3Nov. 7

Sit in a teacher/students rehearsal and take photos on whatever day they say is okay Take notes for first journal entry Ask dancers to be in my photo shoots on November 11th Journal/Time log 1 due on Nov. 8

1.30 hour .30 hour

Nov. 8- Nov. 16

20 mins

Nov. 17Nov. 21

5 Nov. 22Dec. 5

Photo shoot 1using black and white film (candid v posed) on Nov. 18th Develop film in Manuals dark room after school when Mr. Curtis says its okay Take notes for journal entry Photo shoot 2using colored

1 hour 1.30 hour .30 hour

Photographs from the

1 hour 1.30 hour

HOW TO PHOTOGRAPH DANCE film on Dec. 2nd Develop film in Manuals dark room after school when Mr. Curtis says its okay Take notes for journal entry Journal/Time log 2 due on Nov. 22 Photo shoot 3using digital camera on Dec. 9th Download pictures onto computer and print on Dec. 10th Take notes for journal entry Journal and Time log 3 due on December 6th Potential photo shoot if I need to redo any of my photographs (in case they didnt turn out or there was some other issue) on Dec. 15th Final photographs ready Final Product due photo shoot Signed note from Mr. Curtis Notes reflecting on that experience Journal entry Photographs from the photo shoot Signed note from Mr. Curtis Notes reflecting on that experience Journal entry .30 hour

8 Dec. 6Dec. 14

1 hour 1.30 hour .30 hour

Dec. 15Dec. 18

Photographs from the photo shoot Signed note from Mr. Curtis

1 hour 1.30 hour

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Dec. 19

Photographs in a file on my website Website complete

1 hour .30 hour .30 hour

Total Hours 16 hours

Human Resources The following chart includes everyone who will hopefully take part in my senior project. It includes my dancers for my choreography, the teachers whose rehearsals I will be

HOW TO PHOTOGRAPH DANCE sitting in on, and dancers who will participate in my photo shoot. People Nikki DAmbrosio Role Dancer in my choreography, might be in my photo shoot Communication She has already committed to being in my dance. I will need to ask her to take part in my photo shoot after school.

Haley Stanchfield

Dancer in my choreography

She has already committed to being in my dance.

Haley Hill

Dancer in my choreography

She has already committed to being in my dance.

Hanna Bruner

Dancer in my choreography

She has already committed to being in my dance.

Ms. Herndon

I will ask to sit in their rehearsal to take photographs, organized my rehearsal time I will ask to sit in their rehearsal to

I have not yet asked her if I could sit in a rehearsal.

Ms. Ruttan

I have not yet asked her if I could sit in a

Back-up Plan If she is unable to be in my dance for some reason I will either finish it with only three people or try to fill in her spot with another dancer in my class. If she cannot be in my photo shoot, I will ask another dancer. If she is unable to be in my dance for some reason I will either finish it with only three people or try to fill in her spot with another dancer in my class. If she is unable to be in my dance for some reason I will either finish it with only three people or try to fill in her spot with another dancer in my class. If she is unable to be in my dance for some reason I will either finish it with only three people or try to fill in her spot with another dancer in my class. If I am unable to sit in her rehearsal then I will ask Ms. Ruttan, Ms. Mudd, or a student choreographer. If I am unable to sit in her rehearsal then

HOW TO PHOTOGRAPH DANCE take photographs rehearsal.

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Student Choreographer

Mr. Curtis

Savanna McFarlan

Ballie Hart

Other dancers

I will ask Ms. Herndon, Ms. Mudd, or a student choreographer. I will ask to sit in I have not yet asked If I am unable to sit their rehearsal to her if I could sit in a in a student take photographs rehearsal. rehearsal, then I will (not sure who yet) continue my project without it. This is not a pivotal part of the project. Manual I already purchase If he is out of paper photography my paper and I can purchase it at teacher, I will need instructions form another store, like to ask him to use the Mr. Curtis since I Murphys Cameras. dark room, I buy my am in his If he is unable to photo paper from photography class. provide me with him, he can give me However, I will instructions I will instructions need to ask about simply look up my using the dark room questions online or to develop my film, seek help at a since it is not related camera store. If I am to his class. not allowed to use his dark room, I can get the film developed by Walgreens or somewhere else. Might be in my I have already asked If she cannot be in photo shoot her to be in my my photo shoot, I photo shoot, we just will ask another need to schedule a dancer. day and time. Will be in my photo I will need to ask If she cannot be in shoot her to take part in my photo shoot, I my photo shoot will ask another dancer. Might be in my I will need to ask If no dance majors photo shoot others to take part in can help, I know my photo shoot some dancers at Manual. I dont have to have many dancers, although I would prefer more rather than less.

HOW TO PHOTOGRAPH DANCE Facilities, Equipment and Budget The following chart includes the places and things I will need to complete this project. This will include rehearsal space, locations for my photo shoot, equipment for my camera, and more. Place/Thing Annex 1 Access I have already reserved this space through Ms. Herndon to rehearse my dance. I will need to figure out where I want to take photos of my dancers. I will simply ask whoever is in charge if necessary; if not I will go ahead and utilize the area. I will need to contact and book a space to host my gallery for the final product. Cost This will require no cost.

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Payment This will require no cost.

Various areas around school/Louisville (undecided)

This will require no cost.

This will require no cost.

Location for photo gallery (undecided)

Dark room/Walgreens?

I will either use the dark room at Manual or I will go to Walgreens to have my film developed.

Camera

Film (black and

I bought one from Murphys, one off of eBay, and the other I was given by a friend. I will buy the film

I do not know the cost of this at the time. I will possibly need to pay for the area, food, and anything else I will need. If I am able to develop my film in the dark room, there will be no cost except the photo paper. If I end up taking my fill to Walgreens it will cost about $12 for every 24 exposures. Unless it requires repairs, I already have a camera so this shouldnt cost anything to obtain. It is about $5 for a

I will either use my own money, or ask my dad to contribute to this project.

I will either use my own money, or ask my parents to contribute to this project.

This will require no cost.

I will either use my

HOW TO PHOTOGRAPH DANCE white/colored) from Murphys Camera. roll of Kodak film.

12 own money, or ask my parents to contribute to this project. This will require no cost. I will either use my own money, or ask my parents to contribute to this project.

Memory card Photo paper

It was bought from Murphys Camera. I buy my photo paper from Mr. Curtis.

I already own a memory card. This will cost $10 a pack.

HOW TO PHOTOGRAPH DANCE References Hedgecoe, J. (1990). Complete Guide to Photography. New York, NY: Sterling Publishing Co.

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Kodak (1984). Mastering composition and light. New York, NY: Time Life Education.