Tango 2011

One of my favorite photo subjects is of the Tango.  A sensual, stylistic dance, accompanied by amazing music (accordion and all!), the Tango is a visual treat.  And so, one again, I attended the Tango Dance at Northwest Folklife Festival over Memorial Day Weekend.  And, one again, watched some amazing dancing, especially the Tango demonstrations by the "professionals."  The lighting in the Seattle Center House changes by the moment, with sun streaming through the skylights one minute and then blocked by clouds the next.  Shadows on the floor one moment coupled with bright sun on the dancers.  And of course, there are the crowds all around that encroach more and more each year, limiting what I view as the "perfect" shot.  But its all part of festival shooting. 

One of my favorite photos this year was of this couple - her teal dress and shoes played off well against his dark suit, and the dance floor just washed out, creating what I think allows the dances to "pop." I then decided to take it one step further and "wash out" the dancers themselves a bit - it becomes more of a drawing - using "fill flash" and some color saturation adjustment in Adobe Lightroom. Such are the possibilities of "fine art" photography!