A Photo Documentary of Richard Calmes Working his Magic with Four DC Ballet Dancers Photo Gallery by John Potter at pbase.com

A Photo Documentary of Richard Calmes Working his Magic with Four DC Ballet Dancers

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SHOOT COMPLETED 7:00 pm AUGUST 30th 2009. BALLET DANCERS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS FINALLY LOSE IT

DATA: At Richard's request I documented his work around Washington DC with four ballet dancers: Aurora Dickie, Rui Huang, Diana Albrecht, and Norton Fantinel. Needless to say it was a great honor to have the opportunity to work with him, he is so accomplished. We were also joined by my son Sacha Potter who gave us another dimension by enabling us to include all participants in this documentary. My hope is that when you finish viewing this gallery, you will have a sense of what it was like being there. I have taken the liberty of constructing a couple of collages, when I thought they might convey something additional, there is plenty of warning about their presence. Otherwise everything was as you see it, except for color adjustments here and there.

The first day (Saturday) was very overcast at the start, brightened a bit as the day progressed, and by the end we had a bit of sun behind us and heavy clouds behind the Capitol so the jumps really could stand out. Sunday promised sun and delivered. All day, except that in late afternoon, clouds rose from the west really dulling the rich light we had hoped for. But...we were patient and sensed a break coming our way. For maybe 45 seconds it was close to perfect, and that's when we made the Pennsylvania Avenue crossing shots...a close call.

Richard's gallery of the shoot and this gallery are linked both at the gallery level and with numerous photographs. Wherever possible, pictures he took of dancers are linked to a photo of him making the shot (or within a second or two of him taking it. Richard's corresponding gallery is at http://www.pbase.com/rcalmes/dc_dancers

Dancers and photographers arrive on Constitution Avenue, bleary eyed, 8am Saturday Morning	Richard, Diana Rui and Norton heading for the Mall	Richard's lilies bring a bit of cheer to a disappointingly drab morning.	Explaining the intricacies of the first shot at The Vietnam War Memorial	Still a Dull Morning. Rain Holding Off. Aurora Stretching and Brainstorming Ideas
Rui postponing pain, make up first......	....and then the stretching....ooof	Diana Preparing those Amazing Feet	Richard helping Aurora to set angles and tone for the Vietnam pose	Aurora Richard Diana Rui Norton and Sacha
Richard, Norton and Aurora at the Wall	John shooting at Vietnam Memorial: photo by Sacha	At the Memorial Aurora Presents the Bouquet	The Veteran and the Ballet Dancer Reflect at the Wall	Uh-oh...the Secret Police Catch us in the Act!
Aurora and Diana are clearly Unruffled by our Close Encounter	Brainstorming	Setting up and Stretching at Lincoln: Lighting still poor	Soaring over the Reflecting Pool....Wow!!	Checking Out the Captures So Far This Morning
Diana. Notice the Absence of Shadows	See: Just Over the Top of the Monument!	Diana Entrances the Mall and the Clouds Lift	So we wend our way to the Lincoln Memorial...	Traveling Light
The Effervescent Tourist	The Digital Miracle	Norton by the Reflecting Pool at the Lincoln Memorial	Shooting Down the Reflecting Pool	The Turning Point: Diana
Could this be a dream? ALERT: Non-Documentary Photoart	Norton and Rui	Rui and Norton in Flight	The Ballerina and the Photographer	At the Lincoln Memorial
The Huddle	Diana Flies	Here Come the Tourists, Italian (?)	Oh, well, maybe, a Passionate Fan of Ballet...	Norton gets a bit of attention, not that he cares much...
A Wrinkle in Time	Rui, Aurora and Diana Admiring the First Mornings Work	Have Bags- Will Dance	Rui, just west of the WWII Memorial	Photographers in action. Photo by Sacha Potter
Deciding how to approach the jump	Aurora graces the Monument Reflection for Richard	Richard Aurora checking leap	Diana and Richard agree	John and Aurora...taken by Sacha Potter
The Capitol Draws Our Attention	Late Afternoon Over the Capitol. Norton Fantinel	Richard Captures Aurora mid Mall over Capitol	Norton Flips Me Out	Everyone in action..check the links
Aurora and Norton Bracket the Capitol: Richard shoots	Early Sunday Morning. A new day, promising to be brighter.....	The Morning Promises to be Wonderful	Photographers and Dancers begin to gather	The Sun Rises Further
Footwork	Rui takes a deep breath	Early Morning Stretching	Excellence Exacts a Price	Sunday Morning- Three Ballerinas in Conference
Practice on the Grounds. The Master's Hand Upper Left!	On their way to the steps and the first jumps of the second day- Sacha Potter	Out of the Blue! ALERT: Non-Documentary Photoart	Lincoln Red White and Blue, Mr. Calmes shooting	Just about perfect!
Elegance	Diana and Richard. Dancer and Photographer	Aurora at the Foot of Lincoln	Richard and Rui Head for the Reflecting Pool	Swan Lake
Balance	Aurora, taking a cue from the sun dazzles the Mall	and dazzles again....	Fisheye of DC Veterans Memorial, a midday shoot	Richard demonstrating just what he wants...
Sacha helps Norton ascend the Columns	Norton poised for Action	Norton framed by Richard's bent arm holding the camera	Richard has Norton doing some AMAZING stuff at the DC Vets Memorial	Rui: Great Sun made this Possible.
I'm not quite sure what to say here, simply that it was awesome!	Aurora soars at the DC Veterans Memorial	Diana	Figuring Out the Capital Crossing with Richard	OK, but we decided we did not care for the crosswalk......
Fine tuning the body movements for the second crossing	Capital Crossing with Richard shooting: Aurora, Rui, Diana and Norton	Success!!	Diana and the National Gallery Pyramid	Richard and Diana- Pondering follow up moves. Dare I say...reflecting?
Richard and Diana at the Pyramids	Split Image	Norton always invested SOO much energy in being the best he could be!	Easy to see: Three Aurora Angles, the direct shot plus 2 reflections	Aurora and Richard doing some Reflection
Diana Diana Diana	At the East Wing Entrance	Norton and Rui	All is well at the end of the day. Rui and Norton	Rui Finale
A Sense of Accomplishment

comment |

Carl Wakefield		24-Nov-2009 09:45
Super reportage of these two days and super photography well done.

Dennis Steinauer		04-Nov-2009 20:17
This gets better each time I view it -- just plain fantastic.

gregvanderlaan.com		25-Oct-2009 02:41
Thanks for reminding me of the beauty of DC. I lived there years ago and allways loved the glass pyramids at the national art gallery... especially from inside downstairs at the restaurant/waterfall...

foto61.net		18-Sep-2009 07:02
Sensational series! Many thanks for sharing! V Steve

Enny		16-Sep-2009 12:45
cool work, you must have had a great time.

Kim		15-Sep-2009 03:12
Hi John what an amazing gallery you presented here, really high class of photo art and fun. Thanks for sharing!! Great getting the chance to be a little backstage and experience both the dancers and you great photographers artwork. Thanks again to all of you it has been a great pleasure. BV

Patty Roth		15-Sep-2009 00:31
What magic it is! Lovely shots and lovely dancers. Your captures of movement are inspirational and amazing. I esp. loved the "crossing." BV

Matylda Lempel-Chareza Photography		14-Sep-2009 19:17
Great collection, excellent images, thanks for sharing, Voted.

Marcia Rules		13-Sep-2009 20:42
what a blast this must have been!!!!!!!! full of life & spirit & art....V

Dennis Steinauer		13-Sep-2009 17:57
John, this is a spectacular gallery/documentary! You can just feel (and share) the joy, energy, and enthusiasm of everyone involved. What a beautiful tribute to the dancers and, of course, Richard. Wow! Wonderful job.

Giancarlo Guzzardi		13-Sep-2009 08:08
very nice work and experience this shots with Calmes and his boys

Rosemarie Kusserow		13-Sep-2009 05:53
Thanks for sharing this great event with us John, I really enjoyed the feeling you are able to express, wonderful documentation because you show all facettes which are nessesary to bring such happening to such fantastic success, thanks for posting all these wonderful shots, I admire your powerful work, Rosemarie :o) vVv

Ali Majdfar		13-Sep-2009 04:47
What a fabulous gallery filled with lovely captures; Excellent. ~V

princess		13-Sep-2009 04:11
Great collection. Excellent pictures. Outstanding work. Warm congratulations. BV

Flo Hendry		13-Sep-2009 02:58
Looks like some of Richard's magic timing has rubbed off on you! Great new additions since last viewing. Excellent work!!!

Banhup Teh		13-Sep-2009 01:52
I have always admired Richard's work and it is so nice to see your documentation how he weaved his magic. John, excellent work and thanks so much for sharing! V

Peter Sussex		12-Sep-2009 21:15
Love it John, I really feel myself in backstage and it's good to feel the atmosphere. Fine work!

meekam tam		12-Sep-2009 21:15
Superb documentation of the trip, John! Thank you for sharing. V

Tomasz Dziubinski - Photography		12-Sep-2009 21:13
Great collection, excellent images, thanks for sharing, Voted.

Cindy Flood		12-Sep-2009 21:08
Thank you for sharing this wonderful work. Big Vote.

regi olbrechts		12-Sep-2009 20:41
Superb photos John. Great mix of beautiful, incredible action/ballet and photography! Thanks for sharing.

Martha Albuquerque		12-Sep-2009 20:24
Thank you John!!! Gorgeous.. awesome work! Thanks for sharing ~Vote~

Bill Ewart Jr		11-Sep-2009 03:12
I knew I recognized that mirrored pyramid!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Great gallery!~

Ken Chambers ARPS		10-Sep-2009 16:30
Thank you John for sharing your superb images of Richard at work. It looked like the Dancers and Photographers made a great team, appreciating the skill and professionalism of each other. Best wishes to you all...... voted

Reyno		10-Sep-2009 14:34
Outstanding documentary John !!! V

Julie Oldfield		10-Sep-2009 01:21
This is a wonderful gallery! I really enjoyed looking at them. Every dancer was captured perfectly! V!

Christian Lallier		09-Sep-2009 17:01
great reportage!! thanks John

Dmitry Zamorin		09-Sep-2009 06:49
Really interesting gallery! Thank you for the reportage from the backstage!

Liz Bickel		09-Sep-2009 03:54
Wow!!! The magic behind the magic galleries. What a great idea. This gallery is so wonderful. It's allows us all see Richard at work. This behind-the-scenes gallery is outstanding!!!

Agnes Urquhart		08-Sep-2009 17:28
John: these pictures were awesome--I especially enjoyed the mid-air action shots, and the "fishbowl" shots were great, too. It definitely captured the "behind the scenes" feeling. It looks like Sasha is following in dad's footsteps, and doing very well.

Alan Hartmann		08-Sep-2009 11:54
Excellent work John!

rene hoff		08-Sep-2009 07:51
Great documentary, nice work . Thaks for sharing Greeting's from France ! - V -

Raymond Ma		07-Sep-2009 22:06
Always a pleasure to see Richard work his magic and John, you have covered this event beautifully capturing the essential moments. V

Helen Betts		07-Sep-2009 18:57
What can I say? Outstanding and fascinating! V.

walter Marie-Delphine		07-Sep-2009 17:54
very interesting photos; I like dance, so I have enjoyed this very much ! Thank you, John !

Richard Calmes		06-Sep-2009 19:24
It was a pleasure to meet you and Sacha and an even greater pleasure to work with you both over the two days! When I began planning this adventure I thought of you because of the amazing work you have posted over the years. And this gallery is another example of your artistic creativity and your ability to capture the moment. There are some great shots in this gallery!!! For those that think you just followed me around taking pictures, I want to reveal to all that you contributed on many levels! From initial scouting images you provided, to insisting I get permits (THANK GOODNESS), to suggesting different angles and locations as we went along! Thank you for all of this help! My images are better because of you! V++++ Richard

Marwan Habib		06-Sep-2009 17:10
A real pleasure. A nice work from all of you.

Paul Edward Powers		06-Sep-2009 11:43
It is a shame Richard wanted you to follow him instead of involving you John. If it was a joint project then the combination of your two efforts would have produced more diversity. All best.

lila		06-Sep-2009 02:59
what a pleasure to see shots of washington as a backdrop for the arts rather than the political argument we are so accustomed to...how nonpartisan !!! : )

bill friedlander		05-Sep-2009 23:48
This is such a great gallery, John. Nice to have a behind the scenes look at Richards photo shoots, and your photographs are A-ONE. V

Roman Moldaschl		05-Sep-2009 21:06
WOW WOW WOW !!

Joe Marquez - The Smoking Camera		05-Sep-2009 16:53
John, this is a wonderful gallery. Outstanding in so many ways. Thanks for sharing an insiders view of Richard and your work. Ciao! VVV

Gonzalo GV		05-Sep-2009 10:06
Great documentary work . Thks for sharing V

Flo Hendry		05-Sep-2009 04:37
John you are very fortunate to watch and record one of the greatest action photographers I have seen. Nice documentary!~

Dallas Hyatt		05-Sep-2009 03:16
How great is this? Thank you for documenting so well.

Michael Parkinson		05-Sep-2009 03:03
Safe to say all of pbase would love a chance to work with Richard and be scared to death at the thought of doing so. Great work John. Isn't it wonderful to work with people who know what they are doing. GMV

an nguyen		05-Sep-2009 00:03
Beautiful behind the scene work. I find they are so amusing and sweet . BV

Patricia Kay		04-Sep-2009 18:07
Fantastic gallery John...its great too to see Richard at work again....Well done you have done a great job!....BV

Monica Arato		04-Sep-2009 17:47
Bellissima gallery, John! Originale

LeeG		04-Sep-2009 16:41
Brilliant work by all involved! Thanks for providing this behind the scenes view of Richard and his fantastic dancers. It is interesting to see all that goes on to get that perfect shot, and you guys sure did get the perfect shots! ~V~

Jim & Josefina		04-Sep-2009 14:43
Love Behind the Scenes! Great job John! V!... Josefina

alfredo camba jr.		04-Sep-2009 04:36
Wonderful documentary of Richard Calmes at work!! Very nice and interesting images! V

Carole Stevens		03-Sep-2009 09:35
Wow what an amazing gallery John, my favorite is you top image fantastic group shot! You have captured the day perfectly showing how the involved each dancer is with Richards work, gorgeous gallery! Big vote!

Jeff Real		03-Sep-2009 01:27
A wonderful behind the scenes documentary effort. ~V~

Erich Mangl		03-Sep-2009 00:41
great to see "the master" at work :-)

David Yu		02-Sep-2009 15:16
Very good photo documentary of the behind the sense. Please post more!!!

shatterbug		02-Sep-2009 03:52
Nice job documenting the shoot...some fine pictures here! I know Richard appreciated your help with locations..

Aurora Dickie		02-Sep-2009 02:21
Thanks for the pictures and I am sorry to read about the death in the family. :(

Susanne v. Schroeder		01-Sep-2009 22:43
Thanks for sharing this behind the scenes! Fabulous! And a great thanks to the dancers!!

Barry Ailetcher		01-Sep-2009 22:11
Outstanding gallery It must of been fantastic working with Richard he is a real master of Photography

Simon Chandler		01-Sep-2009 21:28
Fantastic documentary with interesting and informative images. v

Zolt�n Balogh		01-Sep-2009 17:33
Great report on Richard's work John! Thanks for sharing your memories with us! V

Lee Berman		01-Sep-2009 09:07
Great gallery ! Thanks for sharing this behind the scenes sequence.

Diana		01-Sep-2009 02:25
John: We are really amazed by your work and how you are showing the behind the scenes, that i think is really really important for us dancers to show to people as well... i hope to have the opportunity to work with you and Mr. Richard again, it was a pleasure :) We are checking the web site all the time!!! sooo excited to see more!!! :)

Jane Dickie		01-Sep-2009 01:31
I´´m so proud of all of you, photographers and dancers! Such a high quality criative art work, every one in his own way to express feelings and emotions! Not much else to say but really feel whenever admiring those pictures! Thank you all for making it possible!

Aurora Dickie		01-Sep-2009 01:17
John, the pictures are amazing! Thank you for your beautiful work! It was a pleasure :)

John Potter		01-Sep-2009 00:56
Holley...I'm so sorry we didn't get to meet! You have a very talented husband as I'm SURE you know!!!! Dinner with the 4 of us is a must..either in Atlanta or here in DC! It was a total blast!!!! John

Holley		01-Sep-2009 00:32
Hello John-it's the mysterious Mrs. Calmes! I wanted to be there with you guys-having all the fun. All I can say is thank you for helping my Richard while he did what he loves. Personally, I had a great two days roaming through the Smithsonian History and Art museums! Taking my own photos of the WWII memorial for my Dad. Maybe next time we can all go out for dinner! Your photos are fabulous!

RUI HUANG		01-Sep-2009 00:20
Thank you John! it was so great to work with you guys i had so much fun!hope we can see each other soon!take care and good luck for everything,say hi to sacha for us.

Steve Mockford		31-Aug-2009 22:05
Thanks for doing this John. I always find Richard's pictures amazing and you have done a magnificent job of showing us what goes on behind the scenes. Well done. ~V~

Marisa D.L.		31-Aug-2009 05:19
I like so much this feeling to be behind the scene and to see the practical necessary work to create those amazing street photos of young dancers. Your gallery is fascinating and amusing the photos are nicely taken and the one you choose for the banner at the top of the page quite fantastic with a gentle pinch of self-irony.

Norton Fantinel		31-Aug-2009 02:53
Hi John!!!!!!!! You are amazing ider!!!!!!! I loved your pictures and the last one Sacha was jumping like a ballet dancer!!!! hahaha!!!! Was a pleasure to work with you guys!!!!! Hope see you again!!!!

meekam tam		30-Aug-2009 07:47
Hope to see the beautiful photos soon! V

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