King, I did not think this was one of yours.

Congrats on another feature King, your running fast, you better not trip now!
Now guys, about the blur do you really think so?
Even if you see that cute little blurry spot on the dancers right finger?

Folks,
Thanks for the sudden feature. I read only ChriZ's first comment before going to bed last night.

This is an ad shot about 24 years ago for the Dallas Ballet Company. As with most ads, this one was discussed with the art director, sketched and refined a few days before the shoot. I was hired for my experience with both dancers and motion/special effects. The art director wanted the motion blur and that's what he got.

If you examine this shot closely, you might notice that it is pretty well lit (deliberately side lit to enhance the blur) and adequately accomplished. You might also notice that while the dancer's arm make a relatively smooth blur, the clapping hands have a staccato, multiple exposure combined with a blur. It was created with light--not the model's pose. How did I do that?

As to whether this shot would look better without the blur, that's a moot point. Any number of photographers could have been hired to shoot static images that may have been superior to mine, but they didn't get the job. I'm not bragging, but simply pointing out that I was hired to produce something specific in this case.

What I don't like about this shot is the burned out highlights, especially on the dancer's fingertips.

I had planned to create an original photograph for this theme, but Jack (kadenajack) and Anna (Hummingbird) beat me to it. Good for them. I chose not to be a copycat.

http://www.weeklyshot.org/theme/hands-2/featured/67/

King:

As I am very much a novice (who uses WS to learn and grow), I would much appreciate if you could elaborate on your comment:

"What I don't like about this shot is the burned out highlights, especially on the dancer's fingertips."

For me, the female fingertips being "burned out" in terms of vividness is actually rather appealing to me in this image. I think it gives a rather "star-like" quality to the fingertips and gives them a pleasing feminine quality (presuming the dancer is female because of the length and shape of the nails). I think this is a good contrast to the male hands on the right which lack the bright tips.

Other aspects of the image that I enjoy include the dual lighting (apparently both from the sides), the position of the male hands that specifically induce a sense of genteel, "polite" clapping, and the uneven pose of the female's fingertips on her left hand (instead of a smooth arc).

Well Hell,if you were paid to do this it wouldn't
be right to do it without the traces.
That is realy impressive,I didn't the notice two different types of 'blur'.
P.S.wish you would be a copy-cat.That post is
only good for it's art to me!

Lange,

First let me way that your appreciation of the "Other aspects" of the photograph reveals a sophistication of vision that belies your being a novice. Good for you.

As for the burned-out highlights: The original was shot on a 4x5 inch sheet of b/w film. The old school (Ansel Adams, Edward Weston, zone system) in which my training was steeped, demands control of both the highlights and the shadows on the negative. Rule of thumb: expose for the shadows and develop for the highlights.

I don't know where the original negative of this image is, although I think it may be be in an envelope in a box somewhere. This (above) is a scan of a print.

So if I were being careful, the negative would contain detail that could be brought out in the brightest part of the fingertip that wasn't directly reflecting the light course and in the darkest part of the subject--in this case, the tuxedo jacket, which has plenty of tone, although it's difficult to see here against the white background.

Now if the negative had the highlight and shadow detail that I'm describing, it would be a matter of choice as to how to print it: with highlights burned out or not. If there is not detail, one does not have a choice. That's my complaint. On the scan of the print, there is no detail, therefore, no choice.

Thanks for your good question.

Lange...typo: "...the brightest part of the fingertip that wasn't directly reflecting the light source..." (as a shiny fingernail will have specular highlights with no detail expected)

Hey, ChriZ...I know you're out there. I can't find your #3 dude! Give me a hint.

It's a really typical one... old and young... soft...
is that enough?
Glad to hear about your quest!

Wow! Love the motion!

dre...thanks!