Fabric and Movement: A Photoshoot with Dancer Macy at Clerk Estate

This photoshoot offered a chance to explore the relationship between movement and form with dancer Macy at the Clerk Estate in Penicuik, Scotland. The historic country estate provided a scenic backdrop, contrasting with the dynamic poses and flowing fabrics that Macy brought to life.

Dance student Macy waving a piece of fabric at the Celrk Estate, Penicuik, image no 1 — I had always wanted to do a dance shoot with fabric.

Fabric as a Creative Tool

Large pieces of fabric served as an element in the shoot. They visually extended Macy’s movements.

Dance student Macy waving a piece of fabric at the Clerk Estate, Penicuik, image no 2 — I like this wooden bridge on the Clerk Estate. It provides leading lines to my subject.

Dance student Macy waving a piece of fabric at the Clerk Estate, Penicuik, image no 3 — These shots required good timing on my part, as is the case for all action photography.

Macy’s skilful manipulation of the fabric added another layer of visual interest. The interplay between the soft, flowing fabric and Macy’s physical presence was a captivating aspect of the photoshoot.

Lighting for Separation and Drama

I used two small flashes (speed lights) to complement the available light. I positioned one flash in front of Macy, slightly to the camera’s right. This key light allowed me to underexpose the background for more saturated colours and create a clear focal point for the image. I placed the second flash behind Macy as a backlight and better separate her from the background.

Dance student Macy waving a piece of fabric at the Clerk Estate, Penicuik, image no 5 — My favourite from the series.

Dance student Macy waving a piece of fabric at the Clerk Estate, Penicuik, image no 6 — Underexposing the background makes the subject stand out more.

Collaboration and Creativity

Throughout the photoshoot, there was a strong emphasis on collaboration between Macy and I. Open communication and a shared creative vision were essential in capturing the essence of the movement and the interaction with the fabric. Macy’s ability to interpret my ideas and translate them into expressive dance poses was a factor in the success of the shoot.

Dance student Macy waving a piece of fabric at the Clerk Estate, Penicuik, image no 7 — It was not easy for Macy to have the fabric flow nicely.

Dance student Macy waving a piece of fabric at the Clerk Estate, Penicuik, image no 8 — You can see from the shaows on the white bridge that the key light is at the right of camera.

The photo shoot at Clerk Estate resulted in a series of images that explored the relationship between movement, form, and fabric. The use of lighting, the creative manipulation of fabric, and the beautiful setting of the Clerk Estate all contributed to the final product.