Swan Lake - Cuban National Ballet

Buono Estente,

Breaking the run of Edinburgh Fringe stuff for some just off the proverbial press, yesterday's photo-call for the Cuban National Ballet's rendition of El Lago de los Cisnes (Swan Lake) in Madrid ...

This was more or less my first time photographing classical ballet, having photographed plenty of other more contemporary dance ... classical ballet really does have a much greater reliance on capturing them in good 'form', but as you'd expect from a national company, they seemed really slick so generally if there was any timing off, it was mine!

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IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/owainshaw/99372​62613/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/owainshaw/99371​67024/

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Really nice series.

What about white balance?
Was the light blue-ish, skins look very pale?

Thanks, and thanks for commenting - much appreciated ...

I've looked at them on a couple of different monitors and devices and they seem to look ok on (and sometimes even little better on a couple of the) others - the light varied a little across and through the depth of the stage, so for me in most of the photos some of the dancers look about right, with others looking a little cold ... the stage was cast blue even to the naked eye (consciously, I imagine, if we're imagining a lake), so the light certainly wasn't pure white. Do they look mostly cold, or mostly alright to you? Or does it vary depending on stage position, as it does on my monitor?

I can imagine the varying light played tricks on you. Even within a frame the color varies, very difficult indeed.
To me the blue on the dresses is not a problem, but the very pale skin looks unnatural.
The more prominent dancers (in front) look mostly allright to me.
Correction should not be hard, I tried a warming filter applied with a mask.

That does look better - especially the dancer to the right in this example, thanks! Did you apply the mask selectively? It now looks more consistent across the frame.

I applied the mask so that only the rightmost dancer was changed.

Perfect, thanks - an easy one to remember for future mixed scenarios, in that example it makes a big difference.

This was a quick fix on a jpeg, starting from a RAW file it is possible to achieve much better results.

Of course. Shooting again today, a different show and different theatre but if the lighting's mixed like this again, it will be something to try ...

The lighting and white balance in the original photo was significantly better in my opinion. The lighting in the 2nd act of Swan Lake is intended to give a very pale skin tone and look to the dancers since they are white swans and the blue tint in the lighting is of course the lake .

tfd888 wrote in post #16451903
The lighting and white balance in the original photo was significantly better in my opinion. The lighting in the 2nd act of Swan Lake is intended to give a very pale skin tone and look to the dancers since they are white swans and the blue tint in the lighting is of course the lake .

Thanks for commenting, a rarity for me so I appreciate it.

I like to try to respect the lighting designer's vision for the piece, as well as try to convey some of the narrative as best possible within a single shot. In the example you mention, the lighting usually reflects part of the narrative - and this is often the case, otherwise productions would simply take place under a full-stage wash. I'm unsure at this stage whether my photographs represent an accurate version of what the lighting designer had created, according to the original intentions of the piece, or whether they were a little cold on the WB. Time has passed and my memory of the piece as it appeared has faded.

However, I'm glad you like the originals and again, appreciate you taking the time to comment. Smile-face.

All the best,

Owain.

A beautiful subject masterfully captured.
Thanks
Darrell

darrell52 wrote in post #16465940
A beautiful subject masterfully captured.
Thanks
Darrell

Certainly a beautiful subject, and very kind praise, thank you.

All the best,

Owain.

Owain Shaw wrote in post #16335290
Thanks, and thanks for commenting - much appreciated ...

I've looked at them on a couple of different monitors and devices and they seem to look ok on (and sometimes even little better on a couple of the) others - the light varied a little across and through the depth of the stage, so for me in most of the photos some of the dancers look about right, with others looking a little cold ... the stage was cast blue even to the naked eye (consciously, I imagine, if we're imagining a lake), so the light certainly wasn't pure white. Do they look mostly cold, or mostly alright to you? Or does it vary depending on stage position, as it does on my monitor?

This is swan lake. It's supposed to look blue.

Great captures. I'd love to see it in person. I wonder if cuba stuck to russian tradition or added their own elements.

DocFrankenstein wrote in post #16468096
This is swan lake. It's supposed to look blue.

Great captures. I'd love to see it in person. I wonder if cuba stuck to russian tradition or added their own elements.

Unfortunately, I wasn't in the city for the show itself, only the press presentation which didn't have any obvious Cuban elements. I did see (but not shoot) an excellent Romeo and Juliet recently, from the Rhin Ballet, transposed to Soviet era Russia. Interesting and very well done, with beautiful costumes and staging.

Glad you liked the pictures, and thanks for commenting.