Single Life, Edinburgh Fringe

Single life was a 2018 Edinburgh Fringe festival dance and physical theatre show.

It was created by Finnish dancer and choreographer Pirita Tuisku, and performed by Pirita and Scottish dancer Christina Liddell. The festival description of the show reads:

“How life is changed for singles in a decade? Now that dating is more based on Tinder and other apps, how does that chance the whole single life? Or does it? Online dating, where you can be whoever you want to be. How this all has effect on life as a single woman.”

I was asked by Pirita to come to one of their rehearsals to take some promotional pictures.  When I saw the small lights on the studio background,  I immediately thought of using the zoom technique.

Pirita Tuisku and Christina Liddell from the waist up, for Single Life, Edinburgh Fringe
Zooming during a long exposure with a speedlight firing at the end of the exposure produces this interesting effect. From left to right, Pirita Tuisku and Christina Liddell
Pirita Tuisku and Christina Liddell from the waist up, for Single Life, Edinburgh Fringe
It takes quite a few takes to get it right. How much zooming, how long an exposure, etc… This is another keeper.
Pirita Tuisku and Christina Liddell from the waist up, for Single Life, Edinburgh Fringe
I usually ask the models to look in the direction of the light. Sometimes they don’t and it works. I like the drama of the split lighting on Pirita’s face.

I wanted to experiment with having some back lighting speedlights in the frame   The two images below were the performer’s choices.

Pirita Tuisku and Christina Liddell standing, for Single Life, Edinburgh Fringe
It’s always fun to experiment and try new lighting set ups.
Pirita Tuisku and Christina Liddell standing, for Single Life, Edinburgh Fringe
One the lights are set up I take quite a few pictures to give my subjects a good variety to pick from.
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