Thanks to the kind permission of the Dortmund's Ballet Company's management, I spend some time behind the scenes with the dancers, during the preparation of Xin Peng Wang's "Hamlet". I wanted to witness the creative process of directing a new choreography with my own eyes and document it with still images. Being a complete newcomer to ballet, it took me some time to figure how to photograph these incredibly talented dancers at work professionally. I tell you....it takes quite a lot of practice and a lot of ballet-technical knowledge to be able to release the shutter at the right moment... during a performance. Well, I'm still practicing...
What actually triggered my curiosity is to see whether as a reportage photographer I would be able to capture the creative process of making a new piece and the moods during a professional dancer's day. I soon realized that this isn't a day job. It takes time. A lot of time. I'm still working on it. Slowly and steadily I will get there.
I should thank my talented friends Eveline, Risa, Phil, Barbara (in the photo), Ana Rosa and all the other 25 professional dancers, who come from 22 countries, for the time they spent with me explaining all I now know about ballet and for letting me peek into their daily lives.
If you are interested in this photography work, keep following my blog and feel free to post comments!