Chengdu Opera - a few more

[caljimw]

The Chendu Opera is something of a variety show, with acrobats, contortionists, musicians, and sketches depicting folk tales of China.
The Costuming is incredible.
Thees two images are of a performance called "changing faces." Each of the performers is wearing a mechanical mask. During the performance, the "face" on each mask is changed, six to ten times. It is done so quickly, using a very rapid hand swipe across the face, that the audience cannot tell how it is done. The mechanics of the mask are very ancient, and are reputed to be an official "state secret" of China, revealed only to the performers who are taught the mask usage.
The figure in the red with black hat is a puppet, It's face also changes, with the puppeteer creating the same hand-face movements as the live actors.
These were taken from row 5 with a 28-135 at 1600 iso, using a Canon 350.

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[alan_potter]

I love how colourful the performance looks. But weren't you really really unpopular sitting in row 5 snapping away? Surely those around you wouldn't have liked the shutter noise?

Anyway, about the pictures - firstly, they look great. Nice and close-in, you can see what's happening and it looks great. However, I think the colour balance is a bit too far on the red side - if you can cool the colours down a touch I think the pictures might benefit from it.

Thanks for sharing - you've really made me want to go to see a performance if I make it back to China!

regards,
/alan

[caljimw]

Chinese audiences are much more tolerant than western audiences. Additionally, Ifortunately had an aisle seat to stage right, and the "music" more than drowns out the click of the camera. Finally, I was with a large group, all of whom wanted
"copies" of the shots.
As to the red, my tastes were to the vividness, but I'll look at it again. Thanks very much for the thoghts.
Jim

[René Damkot]

Either too close or too wide IMO, and quite a few covered faces....
Like the other set better.