Dance Archives - Richard Spurdens Photography

Bella’s Ballerinas – Valentine’s Show rehearsal

A selection of images from the Bella’s Ballerinas Valentine’s show rehearsal. I was luck enough to be able to go this show rehearsal at a studio in the City Academy London. The rehearsal room had good natural light and white walls so all the images were shot using the rooms natural light. The first half of the shoot the dancers rehearsed the dance sequences. In the second period they performed a dress rehearsal.

dance photographer - dance photography - Bella’s Ballerinas rehearsal — Lens: GF32-64mmF4 R LM WR 1/110 sec @ f-4 / ISO 800

dance photographer - dance photography - — Lens: GF32-64mmF4 R LM WR 1/160 sec @ f-4 / ISO 800

dance photography - dance photographer - — Lens: GF32-64mmF4 R LM WR 1/85 sec @ f-4.5 / ISO 1000

dance photographer - dance photography - male dancer on his knees holdin g out his arms as the three female dancers use him balance on pointe. — Lens: GF32-64mmF4 R LM WR 1/85 sec @ f-4.5 / ISO 1000

dance photographer - dance photography - Bella’s Ballerinas rehearsal group shot — Lens: GF32-64mmF4 R LM WR 1/220 sec @ f-4 / ISO 640

Camera : Model: GFX100S II
Lens: GF110mmF2 R LM WR, GF32-64mmF4 R LM WR

It was great to have the opportunity to shoot with this set of talented dancersof Bella’s Ballerinas company.

You can see more of my dance images with this link

Choreographer and Dancer: Bella Ballarina website

Photography

xKes Dance shapes

This series called xkes dance shapes are from a studio shoot last year. They feature model and dancer xKes. She is a professionally trained dancer and also an Aerialist. So she can create some cool dance shapes, and moves. As you can see below.

dance photographer - dance photography - dancer in mid leap across the stage arms above head

dance photographer - dance photography - dancer creating strong dance shapes

dance photographer - dance photography - dancer creating strong dance shapes as she leaps off the ground

dance photographer - dance photography - dancer reaching up towards the sky with on arm

dance photographer - dance photography - dancer side view of her movement

dance photographer - dance photography - dancer in mid leap across the stage arms out to the side

Model: Xkes

Outfits: Leotard, Jeans – models own

Camera : ILCE-7RM3
Lens : 27-70mm F2.8 DG DN | Art 019
Shutter speed: 1/160 sec
Aperture: f- 8.0
ISO: 400

If you want to see more of my dance images you can see them on my dance portfolio he re

Photography

Outdoor dance with Fanny Müller and Scottish midges

dance photographer - dance photography - outdoor dance moves with dancer in a white dress with red flowers patterns hanging from a tree branch — Fuji GF110mmF2 R LM WR 1/125 sec @ f-2 / ISO 100

GF110mmF2 R LM WR 1/125 sec @ f-2 / ISO 100

dance photographer - dance photography - outdoor dancer seated in a large tree in a white dress with red flowers patterns — Fuji film GF110mmF2 R LM WR 1/125 sec @ f-2.5 / ISO 400

dance photographer - dance photography - outdoor dance moves with dancer seated on a large outdoor table — GF110mmF2 R LM WR 1/125 sec @ f-2.8 / ISO 400

portait photography - portrait photographer - head shot amoung the rhododendron flowers — GF110mmF2 R LM WR 1/60 sec @ f-2.8 / ISO 1000

dance photographer - dance photography - outdoor dance moves with dancer leaping across the grass in front of the castle house — GF45mmF2.8 R WR 1/125 sec @ f-2.8 / ISO 800

Dancer: Fanny Müller
Lighting: Natural and Neo I LED light
Camera: FujiFilm GFX 50s II
Lens: GF45mmF2.8 R WR, GF110mmF2 R LM WR
Aperture: f-2.0 – f 2.8
Shutter speed: various from 1/60 -1/125 sec
ISO: 100 – 1000
Outfits: Models own

Here are a few selected images from a trip to Scotland. These image feature the actress, dancer and model Fanny Müller. I have been fortunate to have worked with Fanny a number of times in the past. She is also an Aerial artist, so she features in my Aerial portfolio.

These were all shot in the evening in the castle grounds, as the sun was starting to set. As Fanny is a dancer we went for some dance themed images. So movement pointe shoes and leaps all featured during the session. The whole time outside was challenging as with no wind the Scottish midges out in their thousands. Which made it difficult for the dancer and photographer. But we captured some good images at the location.

Photography, Prints

September 2021 print of the month

My pick for the September 2021 Print of the Month is entitled: Hamish leaping shapes II.

For this print of the month I chose to work up an image from a studio shoot with male dancer Hamish

The image was shot at the natural light studio at Weedon Bec.

Hamish is a pro ballet dancer and works out of Birmingham

If the print interests you, and you would like to purchase a copy of this Print please click here which should take you to my shop page.

Photography, Prints

August 2021 Print of the Month

My pick for the August 2021 Print of the Month is entitled: Sissonne

For this print of the month I chose to work up an image from a studio shoot with the dancer Hamish

The image was shot in a dance studio using studio lights to freeze the dancers action.

If the print interests you, and you would like to purchase a copy of this Print please click here which should take you to my shop page.

Photography, Prints

May 2021 Print of the Month

My pick for the May 2021 Print of the Month is entitled: Leap of Faith

For this print of the month I chose to work up an image from a studio shoot with the Ballerina and model Jade Wallace.

Shot using a single studio flash fitted with a large softbox

If the print interests you, and you would like to purchase a copy of this Print please click here which should take you to my shop page.

Photography

20 in 2020

2020 a challenging year

Well, what a different and challenging year 2020 has been.

None of us have been unaffected in some way by this global pandemic. Little did we know what was coming in the early part of the year. Shoots and travel were booked and then slowly they were all cancelled as the lockdown came into being across the world.

For all creatives this has been an incredibly challenging time.

Fortunately some enterprising people saw an opportunity to use technology and the web to enable remote shooting and thus image making could take place. With me at home and the models in another part of the world, this was a way to keep producing images during the periods of lockdown.

This certainly enabled me to work with creatives in other countries which would not have been possible in normal times. A few of the images selected here were shot remotely with models/dancers as far away as Denmark. When the restrictions eased mid year, some social distance studio work did take place.

I think I have learnt a little bit about myself during this time. I am more interested in the engagement with people and creatives, then the popularity of my photographs. If people like my work then that is fine, but I am not interested in creating images to be popular.

That would compromise my creativity and my style of image making. I have certainly found a calmness in creating images that I like and not being driven to follow the trend to be popular.

As is often said “Art mirrors life” and aesthetic output reflects on us as people. The twenty images I have selected here are ones where I felt strong connections with the creatives I was working with and reflect my style and values.

Thanks to all the creatives I managed to work with this year and lets hope that 2021 brings a return to a more normal artistic environment.