Being Contemporary At Dance

It always surprises me how accommodating people are, especially when they’re passionate about what they do. Today was a first for me. Photographing Contemporary Dance. Exhilarating. Energetic. I had the wonderful opportunity to attend a class of  Grade 12 pupils.

‘Never try to paint effects in nature, you know, sunsets, or even sunrise on the mountains, unless you want to produce a picture postcard … try for straightforward renderings of light and shade – that’s the secret, shadow and sunlight – and search for the colour, always remembering you are composing natural forms, not just copying what you see’ (Hugo Naude, London, 1972).

Hugo Naude, a well-known South African artist, is a legend in our neck of the woods; some people like him and, of course, some people dislike him.   All across our village there are landmarks bearing his name.  Today I visited the Hugo Naude Art Centre, where I was inspired by the community's dedication to artistic expression.  Here, children of all ages can explore their creativity through various art classes, fostering a shared appreciation for art's power.

Pupils love attending the school where they have freedom of expression in all its forms; here they’re challenged to deliver work of the highest order. Standards are set by a complement of dedicated and loyal teachers who always strive to enable learners to flourish under their guidance.

This is the very first time I’ve been able to work in a dance studio, with natural light and very flashy, fast movements.   In keeping with the genre, I've attempted a more 'contemporary' style too, a little soft to show movement, sometimes washed out, depicting sunlight streaming into the room and a light atmosphere in the class. I hope my experience resonates with fellow dance enthusiasts and invites you to share in this journey.

I am sure this statement applies to all dancers: “I did not want to be a tree, a flower or a wave. In a dancer's body, we as audience must see ourselves, not the imitated behaviour of everyday actions, not the phenomenon of nature, not exotic creatures from another planet, but something of the miracle that is a human being.” Martha Graham

Like these students, I too believe that “practice means to perform, repeatedly in the face of all obstacles, some act of vision, of faith, of desire. Practice is a means of inviting the perfection desired.” Martha Graham

Unfortunately, this class will be phased out as other genres are more in vogue right now. I want to thank the Dance Mistress Kaylah Solomons for allowing me to spend the afternoon with her and her students.  Seeing your dedication and passion was truly inspiring.  In my books, you could be our very own Ciara!  Thank you, Nomsa, Kaylyn, and Christelle; you're all beautiful stars! Your commitment encourages me and hopefully inspires you too.

I used my 70-200mm lens, ISO 600, the fastest shutter speed possible, natural light, and an f/2.8 aperture to capture the moments. I selected the photos I liked most to share, aiming to give you a glimpse into my experience. The placement is random to keep it authentic and spontaneous, inviting you to explore the variety of movements and expressions.

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