Dancing in History: A Colinton Tunnel Photoshoot

As a dance photographer, I always look for unique and inspiring locations. When I stumbled upon the Colinton Tunnel in Edinburgh, I knew I had to capture the magic of a dance shoot in this historical space. The decorated tunnel, once a forgotten passage, offered a captivating backdrop unlike any other.

Nicole Reid interacting with a large painted dog on the Colinton Tunnel wall — We were both intrigued by this dog painting on the mural. I thought it would be fun to have Nicole interact with the dog.

Nicole Reid interacting with a large painted dog on the Colinton Tunnel wall take 2 — Variation on the first pose

Nicole Reid interacting with a large painted dog on the Colinton Tunnel wall take 3 — We also tried classic dance poses.

The tunnel’s transformation is a story in itself. From a dark and disused railway tunnel, it has become a vibrant canvas showcasing Scotland’s largest historical mural. Chris Rutterford’s artistic vision, inspired by Robert Louis Stevenson’s poem “From a Railway Carriage,” breathes life into the tunnel walls. The poem’s essence of movement resonated deeply with me, and I knew I could create a dance story that mirrored that sentiment.

Nicole doing a dance pose in fron of a colourful wall — Using the colourful walls as a background.

Collaborating with dancer Nicole Reid, we embarked on a creative exploration within the tunnel. The interplay of light and shadow on the mural’s surface provided a dynamic stage. We opted for a minimalist lighting setup, using just two small flashes to illuminate Nicole’s movements. This approach allowed me to correctly expose Nicole and underexpose the vibrant murals to saturate their colours, adding a historical and artistic dimension to the dance performance.

Nicole doing a dance pose in the middle of the tunnel — Now using the lines of the tunnel to guide the viewer to Nicole.

Nicole doing a dance pose in the middle of the tunnel take 2 — I just asked Nicole to change poses while I was firing away.

Nicole doing a dance pose in the middle of the tunnel take 3 — Another variation.

Nicole’s graceful movements flowed seamlessly with the visual narrative of the murals. The industrial heritage depicted on the walls became a backdrop for her powerful stances, while the depictions of local flora and fauna echoed the natural world through her flowing gestures.

Nicole doing a dance pose inside Colinton Tunnel take 1 — My favourite of the series.

Nicole doing a dance pose inside Colinton Tunnel take 2 — I like how the lines in the pose mirror those of the background.

The Colinton Tunnel Mural project is a powerful reminder that art can exist anywhere, even in unexpected places. It’s a space that inspires not just visual artists, but dancers, photographers, and anyone with a creative spark. My dance shoot in the tunnel is a testament to that. It’s a fusion of movement, history, and artistic vision, all captured within the unique embrace of the Colinton Tunnel.