The Most Interesting Show In the World (possibly PG)
Literally, that's what it was! Jim Rose is known for his traveling side show and a friend of ours was in the lineup so we went when the circus came through.
Unfortunately, our friend the sword swallower wasn't performing that night, but it was very entertaining show nonetheless. We had contortionists, drag queens, breakdancing, circular saws, lawnmowers, lounge acts, and sultry burlesque. What else can you ask for on a Thursday night?
It was dark. It was crowded. This combination meant that I was using my fast 50mm prime (f/1.4), but was unable to get any manual zoom!
We began with the amazing acrobat, Lilia Stepanova. A fresh, upbeat twist on the concept of flexibility:
Next was the stunningly beautiful burlesque singer, Melody Sweets. I have never heard a voice like that, and since then I've been hooked!
The World's Most Dangerous Comic, Mark Faje. He has deadly accuracy with a whip and can juggle circular saws, but the most impressive... er, confusing trick he does is stick a live scorpion in his pants while he catches a bowling ball on his ear. I wasn't sure of the purpose of the scorpion, TBH:
They made salad onstage by throwing lettuce at the lawn mower balanced on his chin:
Then there was Johnny Fayva, the Lizard of Lounge, always winning the hearts of women while wailing Neil Diamond tunes:
And it's easy to see why:
Melody had a second set, with a very different look. She's so nifty:
And finally, Leonid the Magnificent, a 7-foot tall whirlwind of glitter and feathers. He could swing a hula hoop on his bumme and balance a sabre on a piece of string:
Naturally, the crowd went wild:
I think any future gigs I do as an event photographer will need to include a more flexible zoom. :lol3
Any feedback is much appreciated.
Unfortunately, our friend the sword swallower wasn't performing that night, but it was very entertaining show nonetheless. We had contortionists, drag queens, breakdancing, circular saws, lawnmowers, lounge acts, and sultry burlesque. What else can you ask for on a Thursday night?
It was dark. It was crowded. This combination meant that I was using my fast 50mm prime (f/1.4), but was unable to get any manual zoom!
We began with the amazing acrobat, Lilia Stepanova. A fresh, upbeat twist on the concept of flexibility:
Next was the stunningly beautiful burlesque singer, Melody Sweets. I have never heard a voice like that, and since then I've been hooked!
The World's Most Dangerous Comic, Mark Faje. He has deadly accuracy with a whip and can juggle circular saws, but the most impressive... er, confusing trick he does is stick a live scorpion in his pants while he catches a bowling ball on his ear. I wasn't sure of the purpose of the scorpion, TBH:
They made salad onstage by throwing lettuce at the lawn mower balanced on his chin:
Then there was Johnny Fayva, the Lizard of Lounge, always winning the hearts of women while wailing Neil Diamond tunes:
And it's easy to see why:
Melody had a second set, with a very different look. She's so nifty:
And finally, Leonid the Magnificent, a 7-foot tall whirlwind of glitter and feathers. He could swing a hula hoop on his bumme and balance a sabre on a piece of string:
Naturally, the crowd went wild:
I think any future gigs I do as an event photographer will need to include a more flexible zoom. :lol3
Any feedback is much appreciated.
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Great sequence of images!
Winston
It looks to me like the 50mm prime was up to the task. Out of curiousity, what choice would you have made for a zoom....24-70?
Thanks for sharing!
Jeff
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Jeff, good question. I have never used the 24-70 before, but I just wanted some more flexibility on the focal length. Primes are great but I had no room to get closer, so I did a lot of cropping in post.
I think the tradeoff for stage photography is that the dramatic lighting is already done for you, as are the great colors. They made that part very easy on me - the trick was just getting something sharp.
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I think you did a great job.
Virginia
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Good off center, nice timing, feather, and the red lighting says burlesque alright.
Lots of emotion of that first shot of Leonid coming through.