Sometimes, as a photographer, you go to an event where you think you might be able to make good photographs for your story, but when you arrive you just know that it’s not going to work. That’s what happened when we were staying at the gorgeous Amansara resort in Siem Reap where there was a dance troupe performing. So I ended up making these Siem Reap dance troupe portraits…
Normally the troupe performs outside but for various reasons the show was brought inside. The backdrop of the library, while lovely as a library, didn’t work at all as a set for the show, with the brightly lit surroundings attracting attention away from the performance.
However, the event did give me an opportunity to make some portraits of the members of the troupe once they had finished their performance. The moment I got the idea, I ran back to our room and grabbed a light and light stand and transformed the library into a studio in a couple of minutes. I used a very shallow depth of field to blur out the background as much as possible, making sure that the focus was sharply on each performers eyes. Using only a key light and a reflector, I posed and photographed the whole troupe within ten minutes.
It was great fun and an example of how, as a photographer, you can quickly turn a situation around. Unfortunately I didn’t have time to get prints made for them while I was there, so I’ve uploaded high resolution shots to my server for the dancers or the resort to make prints from. The dancers can now use these photos as ‘headshots’ as they say in the entertainment business.
It’s just a small way to give back.
Siem Reap dance troupe portraits. Details: Nikon D700, 85mm F1.4D @ F2.5 @ 5/1000th second @ ISO400.
Amansara resort, Siem Reap
http://www.amanresorts.com/amansara/home.aspx
These portraits are beautiful! I’m sure the dancers will treasure them.
Thanks Alex!
Such gorgeous portraits. I’d love to have you take mine next time you pass through Paris =)
Well, you’ll have to be our ‘Local Knowledge’ person or provide specialist advice to our readers in return :) Terence has a real talent, doesn’t he? I just love his portraits.
Thanks Lindsey!
Thanks Marsha, some of the kids were a little shy, but the other dancers made them laugh and smile. Good fun. Thanks again.
T
These are amazing! I love how you made them feel comfortable enough to have their personalities shine through. Beautiful.
I was in Siem Reap and have regretted missing on this troupe. You had a great eye for portraiture photos Terence.