P#25: A Striking Shot of a Bolshoi Ballerina on a Rooftop
Joe McNally explains what went into creating this unique Bolshoi ballerina photograph
Nothing is ever as easy as it looks, and this picture of a Bolshoi ballerina is a perfect example of that fact. Joe McNally explains just what went into this shot, and the conditions it was taken under may very well surprise you.
Not as Easy as It Looks
Joe McNally: People seem to really like and appreciate this picture of a Bolshoi ballerina from the Bolshoi series. That again was an exercise in tenacity. It took me three weeks to get permission to go and do that.
I had her up on the roof and we were set to go. We were starting to assemble the equipment and the Russian security forces came up and pulled us off the roof and told us we could not be there, so I had to start all over again and go back and get more permissions, more letters, more official this and that, and the other thing.
(click the image for a larger version)
Then we finally had all of our pieces of paper in places and went back up to the roof and did it. What you don't see in that photograph (and are not aware of because she looks so graceful and beautiful, and she's in a tutu, stockings, and pointe shoes) is that it's February in Moscow.
Audri Lanford: Oh no.
Joe McNally: That's one tough lady that we got up there on the roof. We would shoot for about three or four minutes and then she couldn't stand it anymore. We had these giant mukluks, these big boot things. She would immediately put her pointe shoes in the boots and we'd throw big furs and blankets around her.
All my assistants would literally - and her husband was there with us - hold her and use body warmth to get her back up to speed again. Then she'd come back out and pose again for three or four minutes.
That was the process we went through on that photograph.
Audri Lanford: Wow, yeah, you certainly can't tell.
Joe McNally: Nothing's easy out there, Audri.
Audri Lanford:What an amazing story.
Joe McNally: Here's the thing, you never let them see you sweat, right?
Audri Lanford: Right.
Joe McNally: Your photograph can't look like they're belabored. Your photograph has to look like they're quite simply effortless. All the hard work is hidden.
In Closing
This picture of a ballerina on a rooftop may look effortless, but a lot of hard work went into it. By combating frigid weather and grueling conditions Joe McNally was able to create this Bolshoi ballerina shot that would eventually become famous.
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