Image 9
the ensemble stands in the spotlight and retreats after the performance
Project Description
This is my story about dead trees coming to life and performing a ballet performance. It was a snowy and foggy winter day when I hiked through a forest that was no more. A couple of years ago this forest fell victim to a fire. What is left of it now are some burned trees in bizarre shapes. However in the right conditions they seem to come alive again and their unique shapes immediately reminded me of a ballet performance. The idea for my project was born.
Self Critique
This forest ist very dear to me and I was very grateful to have gotten the right conditions to see the trees come to life again for a moment, interacting with each other. Also it is wonderful to see, that a new generation of trees is slowly growing up and will bring new life into this ghostly place.
Creative Direction
Telling a story about a ballet performance:
The performance starts with an “adagio” showing slow expressive movements of three ballet dancers building up to a ballet solo of a prima ballerina dancing an “arabesque” and “reaching for the stars”. While in a pirouette a dead tree reaches out to a young tree slowly growing up to grow into a new forest. Looking further into the background we can see supporting background dancers, while two trees are approaching each other to perform a “pas de deux” for a grand finale. Before retreating the ensemble lines up in a warm spotlight on the stage, so that for a first time the audience can clearly see the damaged and burned barks on the ballet dancers.
Specific Feedback
Since this is my first project I am putting together I am very grateful for any kind of feedback. Amongst other also on the selection of pictures, the general idea behind my project, harmony of the individual images as well as the fact that I used different image ratios within one project (is that okay?)
Intent of the project
Gallery on your website
Additional Details: I might also try to submit this at the NLPAs as a project.
@Ronja , what a lovely collection of dancers! These trees look so much like dancers, and I love that you’ve listed the technical dance moves in the descriptions of the images.
It is hard to tell on my monitor, but they all look black and white except the last one. I would definitely vote for black and white for all the images…to emphasize the “burnt” nature of the trees, and also for consistency in the images.
I would remove the last “grand finale” image where they are all standing in a row. I understand why you included it, as the last time to see the dancers on stage, all lined up. But this last image doesn’t fit the “look” of all the other images. But that is just my opinion! I do like the way you present this as a stage performance!
Congratulations!
Wow! This is an outstanding collection of images and Project!
Before even reading your comments or honestly even paying attention to the title, my first impression was how Expressive these trees are! Most especially the 2nd one when it popped up; but they each have their own degree of expression - and I can very clearly see and understand your Ballet and dancer intent. And I know nothing about ballet!
Every single image could stand on it’s own of course. If there was one image that is ever so slightly inconsistent (discount the color one at the end for now…) but Image 6 has just a bit of tension (lack of a better term) because the forward tree is clearer/darker because it’s closer and fog thinner. It’s not a bad thing at all, but again slightly different than the other due to that. Plus, it doesn’t help I don’t know what “pas de deux” is or means (maybe I’ll go look it up…)
And for as much as I admittedly don’t know Ballet, I can deduce enough to comment that I think you paired your images and titles beautifully! I mean, “Pirouette” and it’s image - very clear and obvious to me. Great Job!
Regarding the color version of the last image. I can see Mark’s point, but is not a Project killer by any means for me. In fact, as a stand alone image, I would most certainly leave it in color. And again your title match with the image is so spot on.
Love this Project. Congrats! Beautiful imagery, crafted in to a meaninful Project.
Dear Lon, thank you so much for your feedback. I really appreciate your thoughts on my project and it is so good to get feedback on it, as it is my first project and there are so many things I am not sure about.
I am glad you like the titles as descriptions of dance moves, even though you are not an ballet expert (neither am I btw, but my daughter takes ballet classes, that was my inspiration ) I wasn’t sure about the technical titles as it might not be straight forward. Pas de deux btw is the dance of a couple of two ballet dancers together (usually a man and a woman).
Thank you for pointing me to image 6! I didn’t see that, but now that you have mentioned it, the difference is very obvious to me. I will think about that one. Especially since I might not really need the image to convey the full story.
About the last one: I was wondering about including or excluding that one myself and I am still not sure about it. In fact non of the images is converted to black and white, but the others look much more monochromatic than the last one… I still have to think about in/excluding that one some more as I also like the idea of rounding up the stage performance in bright spotlight when all the dancers are clearly visible and bow down during the applause or so but at the same time I don’t want to disturb the visual flow… it’s a tricky one
thank you so much for your input, this kind of constructive feedback is very important for me to make the most out of this project
Dear Mark, thank you so much for your feedback. I really appreciate your thoughts on my project and it is so good to get feedback on it, as it is my first project and there are so many things I am not sure about.
I am glad you like the titles as descriptions of dance moves, I wasn’t sure about the technical titles as it might not be straight forward.
About the last image: I was wondering about including or excluding that one myself and I am still not sure about it. In fact non of the images are converted to black and white, but the others look much more monochromatic than the last one… I still have to think about in/excluding that one some more as I also like the idea of rounding up the stage performance in bright spotlight when all the dancers are clearly visible and bow down during the applause or so but at the same time I don’t want to disturb the visual flow… it’s a tricky one
thank you so much for your input, this kind of constructive feedback is very important for me to make the most out of this project
Hi Ronja, what a spectacular set of images! Dancers, for sure. Each image has strength on it’s own, as - as a collection - is just marvelous.
Not sure about the last one; it’s a very nice image, but out of character with the others.
Really excellent!
Thank you Sandy, I really appreciate your input. Maybe I will take the last image out of this series, I will have another look through my images, maybe I will find another one better suited as a final image
) I wasn’t sure about the technical titles as it might not be straight forward. Pas de deux btw is the dance of a couple of two ballet dancers together (usually a man and a woman).
but at the same time I don’t want to disturb the visual flow… it’s a tricky one 
