Monday, March 16, 2009

The Ballerina


This exquisite bronze in the Sculpture Garden at the Birmingham Museum of Art has fascinated me for months.   I have photographed her from every angle and at almost every time of day. Nothing I shot seemed to do her justice.  I had almost given up, but Saturday I tried once again. This time,  I found a new perspective.  Maybe it was the raindrops.  I think I'm finally satisfied!

36 comments:

raf said...

Well done, indeed, Virginia!

Olivier said...

magnifique cette photo b&w. j'adore, avec en plus ces petites gouttes d'eau. Et bravo pour l'angle choisi
splendid this photograph b*w. I love, with on top of that these small drops of water. And bravo for the chosen angle

PAK said...

Yes, raindrops help to give a justice to The Ballerina.

Diederick Wijmans said...

You found the right angle, Virginia, and the slightly unfocused background gives the ballerina even more strength! Well done!!

Julie said...

mmm ... yep ... spot on ...

The siting of the subject, the DoF, the raindrops, the B&W, the angle of your lens ...

I like this very much, V.

Pat said...

Yep, it's a good one! I think that the fact you didn't show the whole ballerine helps even more than the raindrops. But they add a special touch, too!

Vanessa Bates said...

What a great perspective! Such a beautiful statue.

Rob said...

That is how to do it. Keep searching for that perfect angle for that perfect photo.

Victor said...

This one really jumps off the portal. Bravo Virginia! Perseverance pays...

PeterParis said...

I think you have all reasons to be!!

Wayne said...

I'm satisfied, I'm going to frame this one and hang it on the wall. Send me the rejects too V.

Anonymous said...

I would never have guessed that that would work. But I love it.

Virginia said...

To heck with babies and kittens. When you post a nude all the guys show up!!
V

Babzy.B said...

Beautiful angle :) I think the raindrops make the difference !

magicpolaroid said...

that sculpture! like this b&w photo! congrats!
ciao, Luis

alice said...

Yes, you can!

Marie-Noyale said...

You can be satisfied all right!!!
I think the raindrops are a plus too...

FireLight said...

A caption for your Bronze Lady:
"Dahhhhhhleeeng, could you just hand me my silk robe? I feel as though strangers are staring right at my...."
She is a beauty! I love the detailed drops of water..Do you know who the sculptor is..or did I miss that?

cieldequimper said...

Elegant and simple!

Virginia said...

Fire Light! HA! Perfect caption. I regret I misplaced the sculptor and the name of the piece. I searched high and low on the internet for it . I will add it as soon as i can get to the museum.

Chattahoochee Valley Daily said...

Practice makes perfect. Great shot.

Harriet said...

Great shot for a wonderful piece of sculpture. I would also love to know the name of the sculptor.

Bob Crowe said...

I always seem to come in at the end of the queue these days, don't I? The composition, cropping and sense of motion in this photo are fabulous but the water droplets under the arm and hand take it somewhere else entirely. You have both energetic motion and stasis here (the droplets couldn't cling to anything moving). I've said it before, but your work keeps getting better and better.

Virginia said...

Bob,
No matter where you are in the queue, I always learn from you my friend. Merci..
V

PJ said...

I remember you telling me about your ballerina obsession. This is not what I was expecting...she's a woman, seems alive.

Eki said...

YES! the angle of that arm and the rain drops makes it more beautiful! I agree with you, V, it's a justified take on here. as with any works of art, I believe there are still more angles to explore though.

Virginia said...

AHHHH EKI, you read my mind. I'll revisit her for sure. I volunteer every month at the museum. I always take my camera!

Nancy said...

I am glad you are happy with this as it is a beauty.

Merci Madame!

Juergen Kuehn said...

From start to a potential finish we have only the trial-and-error technique. This trial is superb.
Juergen

Tash said...

Hi, V. I noticed this on my blog roll when you posted & thought - now that's an excellent photograph of a sculpture - as the photo critics say - it has so much movement. Most excellent. (But did you get more guys viewing this one than the pick-up truck?)

Virginia said...

Tash,
From what I can tell, nudes and pick up trucks bring in about the same number of guys. The nudes are just harder to find around here!HA

Jeurgen,
Good to see you back around. HOpe this means you are feeling better!

PJ,
I have a hard time keeping up with my obsessions these days. I keep adding more and more!

Tom said...

This is a stunning picture... and the raindrop are beautiful additions

marley said...

You should be very satisfied! This is an amazing photo.

Jane Hards Photography said...

The combo of light, water and a part not the whole all add up to a terrific image. Honelsy it's parctise. You went back and stuck at it and it's handsomely paid off.

Kerri said...

This is gorgeous! I love the B&W, and the depth of field really brings out her details.

Rena said...

This has to be one of the beautiful dancers of sculptor Elizabeth MacQueen, a B'ham native.