A change is gonna come
Dancer Corynn Harvieux, by Dan Browning/Danzante Photography LLC, © 2022
If you haven’t heard Sam Cooke sing A Change is Gonna Come for awhile you might want to listen to it. It’s sort of the soundtrack for this moment in my life, and I believe in the life of America as well.
Dancer Corynn Havieux, by Dan Browning/Danzante Photography LLC, © 2022
For several years now I’ve been rolling down a path as a ballroom dancer to go to the United States Dance Championships. I have pursued this goal despite its extraordinary cost in money, in relationships and its toll on my other activities, such as my photography, my martial arts practice and my desire to travel. It’s now within sight. It makes no difference how I perform there. The act of getting there is all that mattered to me. Jigoro Kano, the founder of judo, was once asked about the secret to judo. He responded, “Never miss practice.” And that is how I have approached this activity. The goal of reaching USDC is not important except to keep me practicing. Which is to say, dancing with focus. And that I have done.
The river of life flows on, however. After USDC I will keep dancing but now I will attempt to become a better social dancer as I explore my other interests more deeply. Perhaps you’re thinking, why is this part of a photography blog? Because the photographer is part of every photograph. When you hire me you become my partner in the creative process.
What do you expect when you hire a photographer? If you’re getting a headshot you should have a vision of how you want others to see you. If you hire someone who specializes in cosplay don’t be surprised if the outcome differs from someone who specializes in infant portraiture. Both photographers might be experts in their respective genres, and I’m sure they will do their best to deliver what you like. But you’re part of the process, too. What do you bring to it? What is your goal? Why would you want me to photograph you?
Grace Peterson and Charles Leonard, by Dan Browning/Danzante Photography LLC, © 2022
Daneen Barone Shelton with Scott Koogle, by Dan Browning/Danzante Photography LLC, © 2022
This summer I made some portraits of a young dancer as part of a personal project to explore a technique called shutter drag, where a long exposure is used to blur ambient light, then a pop of flash is used to properly expose the rest of the scene. You can see a couple of those images above. I also did a maternity and family portrait. And I have shot several ballroom dance competitions. In November, I expect to join a team of photographers shooting the Fred Astaire National Dance Championships in Orlando.
After that, I would like to do a series of portraits of active, older adults in their daily practice, regardless of what form it takes. Yoga? Dance? Rock climbing? Maybe you’re handicapped but keep sharp by birding or playing bridge. If you would like to be a part of this project please let me know why. What would you bring to it? I look forward to hearing from you!
