Freestyle Ballerina art project.

zoomer

This is the latest version of my Freestyle Ballerina art project gallery. I shot several amazing ballerinas this year.

If you like dance and have any interest here is the link to the gallery:

http://alloutdoor.smugmug.com/UrbanBallerinaProject/Freestyle-urban-ballarinas

Bryce Wilson

Really exceptional stuff Mike!

I'd be tempted to pick my 12 favorite and produce a calendar. Any of your images are head and shoulder above any of the stuff I see being sold at the mall this year.

zoomer

Thanks for clicking through and having a look Bryce.

I have thought about what I am going to do with the project. I was thinking I would put one more year into it before I really put it out there and try to do anything with it. There are a few more really skilled ballerinas I have been trying to get out to shoot.

Yeah a calendar is a fun idea....but I would have to have somebody else pick the photos...I am so bad at picking favorites.
I don't know how much market there is out there for ballerina photos.

divamum

Great stuff, Zoomer. Have you asked the ballerinas if they have performances coming up where you might be able to exhibit/sell a book/share? You'd have a built-in market

zoomer

divamum wrote: »

Great stuff, Zoomer. Have you asked the ballerinas if they have performances coming up where you might be able to exhibit/sell a book/share? You'd have a built-in market

Thanks Diva, that is a good idea.

divamum

During my final year at conservatory, an artist came in and sketched the rehearsals leading up to the opera production that year; the sketches were put in the foyer gallery for the run and beyond, and it made for a really neat exhibit. My husband and I were introduced during that production (he wasn't at the school), and we went back and bought one of the sketches, which currently hangs just to the right of the computer monitor I am currently using

Even if the dancers don't specifically have a run of anything in the works, contact every ballet-producing organization in town (even colleges) and see if they'd be willing to let you exhibit.

Similarly, what about the city, county, and state Arts Councils? This is a REALLY neat independent project, and it emphasises how much is going on in dance (in an area most of us don't really think of as a metropolis with a booming artistic base). You are showing people what's out there - they'd LOVE you. You might even be able to apply for some kind of grant to continue the project!

(^^Exhibit A: how non-photographic artists think, because typically we don't have an obvious commercial market available.... )

zoomer

Thanks Diva,
All great ideas....I suck at marketing. I just like to do photography. I have thought about hiring a marketing person and paying them a commission....hmmmm.

I really like your community based ideas. Come to Boise and be my marketer....

Hackbone

Mike, every once in awhile I have some posing issues with a few of your shots but this series just blows the socks of my previous issues. Love the venue, lighting, color co-ordination,posing, WOW!!!!

divamum

zoomer wrote: »

Thanks Diva,
All great ideas....I suck at marketing. I just like to do photography. I have thought about hiring a marketing person and paying them a commission....hmmmm.

I really like your community based ideas. Come to Boise and be my marketer....

Hehehe. Feel free to PM or email me if you like (email is my dgrin name @yahoo.com) - I think it's a wonderful project and I bet you could generate a TON of interest as you're likely unique in your area doing something like this. Go for it!!!

Sam

Zoomer,

I must be honest, these images are not good.......................they are EXCEPTIONAL!!!

Sam

ChrisJ

Get yourself a marketer... these are gorgeous. Artistic, creative, and well executed.

jonh68

I really like the set, especially the leaps. I like how they are lit and composed against the backgrounds. Great series.

Juano

These are wonderful! For a long time I've been wanting to shoot dancers, this is an inspiration, but also a tough act to follow

Tinstafl

Great series and images. Well done, they are well captured and the locations add to them as well.

zoomer

Thanks everyone. Dancers are a lot of fun to shoot, most of the posing issues you might have with models are non issues with dancers. You put them in a spot and they do their thing.

jmphotocraft

Great concept, flawlessly executed. I love 1 and 5 at first, I'll take a longer look later.

Peace.

michaelglenn

Freaking amazing man! Such great execution, lighting, and attitude in these. You definitely need to market yourself out there. I'm speechless.

divamum

PS Zooms, is that big warehouse space a dis-used prison???!!!?????

zoomer

Thanks appreciate everyones comment.
The dancer in 1 is the most skilled dancer I have shot, amazing, good choice.

There is an old closed down state prison in Boise that they run visitors through. It is ok to photograph in there as long as it is not for commercial use.

jmphotocraft

You might want to put a logo or watermark on these, they are ripe for the taking.

divamum

Ooh - if you print/exhibit/publish you might want to see if they'll negotiate with you, since the ones in that space are some of the best! Dang, the light. So, so sweet....

denisegoldberg

These are spectacular Mike!

--- Denise

D'Buggs

Did I hear right?
All of this has been done with no compensation?!?!???

Your efforts are very inspirational to me and because of that fact I have just recently, albeit barely, have gotten a pinky toe into a local studio.

Giddy up and get to it! Diva has some solid recommendations on how to get it out there.


.... And put me down on the list for a book, if that's ever in the makes.
Actually, I'd buy 2 and gift one of 'em out.

kdotaylor

Incredible!!

Oja

These are outstanding indeed. Gorgeous light and wonderful models.

Alex P

These are Awesome Mike, so full of energy and as a complete body of work (well, ongoing from the sounds of it) they really are very impressive!
Were some of these (green peeling paint), shot in an old penitentiary? I feel like I recognize it (not like I've been there from this side of the pond).

zoomer

Yes this is an art project I have been working on..no pay.
Yes some of them are in the Old Idaho State Penitentiary which is open for tours.

I plan to shoot one more year on it...still a few really good local dancers I have not enticed to shoot yet....to bring up the overall skill level of the dancers in the project. Then I will see if there is anyone interested in doing anything with it. Book, calendar, display etc.

Not sure how much of a market there is for dance photography....but not really why I started the project....I just like shooting dancers .

D'Buggs

Not sure how much of a market there is for dance photography.....

And I'm sure, Richard Avedon, said the same thing about a python and a lady laying down on a concrete floor together.

Anywho,,,, I'm a big fan and thanks for openly sharing this work with me.