Interpretations of Dance thru the Lens

5 January 2012 – The Art of Moving Forward

Nawfal Johnson Nur — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 09:53:14 +0000

Photography from the Shingo Tokihiro Costume Exhibition, in Penang, Malaysia. The performance and theme of the exhibition was “Dream of Time: A Sanctuary of Harmony & Beauty.”

The main performers in this exhibition include:
Shingo Tokihiro, Costume Designer, and he also was performing as the masked character, most of the time.
SPRING performed by Loo Mei Hui (also playing Violin).
SUMMER performed by Lex Lakshman Balakrishnan.
AUTUMN performed by Kimmy Kiew.
WINTER performed by Aida Redza.
Mitsue Wakabayashi, a dancer from Japan, performed, “The Moon in the Sea.”

Most of these images are Loo Mei Hui – centric, as she is the primary subject in most of these photographs.

The more I really looked, and saw my original digital photographs of this performance, the more discoveries I have found, and the more I am delighted with the results I was able to achieve, especially considering that the Studio where this was performed was basically totally black – the blackest of the dark, black, blacks for a studio that I have ever been challenged with to photograph inside of. As Haru, the ‘Beverly Hills Ninja’ once said: “It was as dark as the inside of a coffin on a moonless night.” Did I happen to mention that the studio was a little bit light-challenged? I think…you get the picture (hey, no pun intended).

Moving right along now…

Great art is the outward expression of an inner life in the artist, and this inner life will result in his personal vision of the world.
~ Edward Hopper ~

I was actually seated up in the audience’s section of the studio. I had wished that I was down on the floor where there were several newspaper photojournalists moving around – but, I remained in place.

Afterwards, however, I realized that even though I may not have been in the location that best suits the kind of stage photography I love to capture, by sitting up in the seats, where the audience was located, I experienced the performance from a whole different perspective. As Edward Hopper said, I was receiving my own “personal vision of the world” from my place; and, where I may not have had the advantage of proximity to the performers that I normally enjoy, I was certainly blessed with a single and unique vantage point from where no one else was capturing photos.

Was it a great location for capturing images? No, not by a long shot. Nevertheless, often times I have had to do the best with what I have, where I’m at. Many times, I fall flat on my face. Other times, things work out well. As Brooks Jensen says: “Even if you fall flat on your face, at least you are still moving forward.” Yes, indeed: I’ve done a lot of that. Oh yeah, I’m a lifelong student in the art of moving forward.

Even if few reassure me that I do a good job at performing arts photography (a few good friends who do, you know who you are, and I am grateful to you; and of course, family), I still know that I’m a pretty good photographer. I don’t write that with any boasting implied – God knows, I do not suffer from egoitis.

I write these reassuring words here, because if I don’t reassure myself, then it is very easy to wonder, ‘Why am I doing this?” “What is it all for?” “Am I any good at all?” And then, I look back at my good results and it confirms for me, that I can do good work; and that is enough, sometimes, to continue moving forward. Even great artists had to do this from time-to-time, like James Abbott McNeill Whistler [(July 10, 1834 – July 17, 1903) (e.g. "Whistler's Mother" artist)], who had his little spray of roses painting that he kept for himself, to remind himself that he had painted the delicate scene with such precision that many wanted to buy the painting, but he refused. My good photographic results from the past help give me a positive boost so I can do just as good a work, or even better, in the future.

Of course, my photographic failures are even more important as a learning tool: When I have a photograph that totally bombed, I can look back at that type of image, remind myself of what I must do to correct the mistakes, and then improve my approach, my technique, and usually the results are better.

I hope you enjoy seeing the following photographs I captured at the Shingo Tokihiro Costume Exhibition, Dec 2011, Penang, Malaysia.

OK, that’s all for now!

If you would like to see more photographs from the Shingo Tokihiro Costume Exhibition, then continue looking at the most recent blog entries.

If you want to see more of my dance photography, then please look through my entire blog for a variety of dance styles photographed.

And…yes, I know there are some repeat images from previous posts. And…all I have to say about that is, AWESOME!

Filed under: Aida Redza, DANCE PHOTOGRAPHY, Japanese Costume Design, Kimmy Kiew, Lex Lakshman Balakrishnan, Loo Mei Hui, Mitsue Wakabayashi, Nawfal Nur Dance Photography, Penang Performing Arts, Shingo Tokihiro Costume Exhibition, STAGE PHOTOGRAPHY Tagged: Aida Redza, Dance Photography, Kimmy Kiew, Lex Lakshman Balakrishnan, Loo Mei Hui, Malaysia, Nawfal Johnson Nur Photography, Performing Arts Penang, Shingo Tokihiro costumes, Shingo Tokihiro Japanese Costumes

Just something for 1st Jan 2012

Nawfal Johnson Nur — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:49:36 +0000

Aida Redza performing at the Shingo Tokihiro Costume Exhibition, Dec 2011.

IN THE FOREST, by Yeow Lai Chee, Dancebox Performance, Dec 2011.

SHINGO TOKIHIRO, Master Costume Designer.

Happy New Year 2012!

Filed under: DANCE PHOTOGRAPHY, Japanese Butoh Dance, Japanese Costume Design Tagged: Aida Redza, dance, Japanese Costumes, Nawfal Johnson Nur, Penang, SHINGO TOKIHIRO

Bilik Mimpi in Photos

Nawfal Johnson Nur — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 12:03:23 +0000

Bilik Mimpi – Choreographed by Suhaili Micheline binti Ahmad Kamil, and performed by Siti Amellia Feroz and Raziman bin Sarbini.

Performed on 18 Dec 2011

All Photographs are Copyright 2011 Nawfal Johnson Nur
No unauthorized use without permission.

WEB: http://smokephotographist.com
Email: nawfal@smokephotographist.com

Filed under: Uncategorized

The Masked Performer – Shingo Tokihiro

Nawfal Johnson Nur — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 16:39:07 +0000

The Masked Performer is played by Shingo Tokihiro, himself, the designer of the Japanese Costumes.

These photographs were taken during the performance of the “Dream of Time”. A funny side note of this is that I did not realize, until after the show, that the Masked Performer was Shingo Tokihiro. During some parts of the performance, the other dancers wore masks, but most of the time, Shingo Tokihiro was playing the Masked Performer. Here are some of the photographs of Shingo Tokihiro, the masterful costume designer.

All Photographs are Copyright 2011 Nawfal Johnson Nur
WEB: http://smokephotographist.com/
Email: nawfalnur@gmail.com and nawfal@smokephotographist.com

This scene shows Shingo up on the second floor, who has draped down a long piece of fabric, which Lex Lakshman Balakrishnan and Mitsue Wakabayashi are holding up.

Shingo Tokihiro (L) and Kimmy Kiew (R ).

And this, is Shingo Tokihiro the Designer of the wonderful costumes and the man behind this wonderful production, “Dream of Time.”

Here are a few of the group shots that I took after the show.

Kimmy, Aida, Lex, Mei Hui.

Lex and Mei Hui.

Mei Hui, Lex, Shingo Tokihiro, Mitsue, Kimmy, and Aida.

Filed under: DANCE PHOTOGRAPHY, Japanese Costume Design, Nawfal Nur Dance Photography, Penang Performing Arts, PERFORMING ARTS PHOTOGRAPHY, Shingo Tokihiro Costume Exhibition Tagged: Aida Redza, Available Light Photography, Dance Photography, DREAM OF TIME, JAPANESE COSTUME DESIGN, Kimmy Kiew, Lex Lakshman Balakrishnan, Loo Mei Hui, Mitsue Wakabayashi, Nawfal Johnson Nur, Penang, Performing Arts, SHINGO TOKIHIRO

Mitsue Wakabayashi Photos, from the Shingo Tokihiro Costume Exhibition

Nawfal Johnson Nur — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 15:40:13 +0000

The following are photographs of Japanese dancer, Mitsue Wakabayashi, taken during the Shingo Tokihiro Costume Exhibition performance of, “Dream of Time.”

All Photographs are the Copyright 2011 Nawfal Johnson Nur
WEB: http://smokephotographist.com/
Email: nawfalnur@gmail.com and nawfal@smokephotographist.com

Aida Redza (background), Mitsue Wakabayashi (middle) and Shingo Tokihiro (foreground).

Kimmy Kiew (L), Mitsue Wakabayashi (middle) and Lex Lakshman Balakrishnan (R ).

Mitsue Wakabayashi.

Lex Lakshman Balakrishnan (L), Aida Redza (far back), Mitsue Wakabayashi (middle), and Shingo Tokihiro (R ).

Mitsue Wakabayashi.

Mitsue Wakabayashi: I have three words to describe this scene – Stunning, Beautiful, Amazing! That is, if I may say so myself.

Mitsue after the performance.

Loo Mei Hui (L) and Mitsue Wakabayashi (R ).

And, the final photo here in this set of images, of Mitsue Wakabayashi.

Filed under: DANCE PHOTOGRAPHY, Japanese Costume Design, Mitsue Wakabayashi, Nawfal Nur Dance Photography, Penang Performing Arts, PERFORMING ARTS PHOTOGRAPHY Tagged: Dance Photography, DREAM OF TIME, JAPANESE COSTUME DESIGN, Loo Mei Hui, Malaysia, Mitsue Wakabayashi, Nawfal Johnson Nur, Penang, Performing Arts, SHINGO TOKIHIRO

Lex Lakshman Balakrishnan Photos from the Shingo Tokihiro Costume Exhibition

Nawfal Johnson Nur — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 15:05:15 +0000

Lex Lakshman Balakrishnan Photographs taken at the Shingo Tokihiro Costume Exhibition Performance: Dream of Time.

All Photographs are the Copyright 2011 Nawfal Johnson Nur
WEB: http://smokephotographist.com
Email: nawfalnur@gmail.com and nawfal@smokephotographist.com

Lex plays the role of ‘Summer’ in the Dream of Time performance.

Lex (L ) and Aida Redza (R ).

Kimmy Kiew (L ) and Lex (R ).

Lex after the performance.

Lex: Closer view of the costume details.

Filed under: DANCE PHOTOGRAPHY, Japanese Costume Design, Nawfal Nur Dance Photography, Penang Performing Arts, PERFORMING ARTS PHOTOGRAPHY Tagged: Aida Redza, JAPANESE COSTUME DESIGN, Kimmy Kiew, Lex Lakshman Balakrishnan, Nawfal Johnson Nur, Penang, Performing Arts, SHINGO TOKIHIRO

Loo Mei Hui Photos from the Shingo Tokihiro Costume Exhibition Performance

Nawfal Johnson Nur — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 14:38:14 +0000

Loo Mei Hui: performed violin and also played the part of ‘summer’ in the “Dream of Time” Performance.

All Photographs are the Copyright 2011 Nawfal Johnson Nur
WEB: http://smokephotographist.com/
Email: nawfalnur@gmail.com and nawfal@smokephotographist.com

Background: Kimmy Kiew (L ) and Lex Lakshman Balakrishnan (R ).

Loo Mei Hui.

Filed under: Uncategorized

Kimmy Kiew Photographs

Nawfal Johnson Nur — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 11:30:28 +0000

Kimmy Kiew Photographs designed during her performance at the Shingo Tokihiro costume exhibition: dream of time.

All Photographs are the Copyright 2011 Nawfal Johnson Nur
WEB: http://smokephotographist.com/
Email: nawfalnur@gmail.com , or, nawfal@smokephotographist.com

Kimmy Kiew (foreground) and Lex Lakshman Balakrishnan (background).

Background: Lex Lakshman Balakrishnan and Loo Mei Hui. Foreground: Kimmy Kiew.

Aida Redza (L) and Kimmy Kiew (R ).

Kimmy Kiew.

Kimmy Kiew – What an AWESOME costume!

Kimmy Kiew (L) and Lex Lakshman Balakrishnan (R ).

Kimmy Kiew. Wow! Did I design this photograph? Why Yes, I did. Amazing Beauty. Kimmy is STUNNING in all of these, but this one really glows! This again, confirms my belief that good photographs are a joint effort between a ‘skilled’ photographer (I try to be…) and amazing subjects. Again sometimes, I just get lucky.

Kimmy Kiew after the show. Kimmy played the part of ‘autumn’ in the “Dream of Time” performance.

That concludes Kimmy Kiews set of photographs. Now, I shall move on to Loo Mei Hui: Mei Hui played the part of ‘spring’ in the “Dream of Time” performance.

Filed under: Uncategorized

Dance Photos – Back to the Future

Nawfal Johnson Nur — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 09:34:33 +0000

A Look Back to Move Forward

“Jashanna – The Temple of Fine Arts, Penang, Malaysia”

Copyright 2000 Nawfal Johnson Nur

Sometimes, I need to look back at my past work, which helps me move forward. I thought I would blaze through the 9 gigabytes of photos I took this weekend, and I was doing really well. However, I discovered that my desire to wade through all of the hundreds of images I created over the last couple of days, was, as my daughter says, “squishing my heart.” I discovered that I needed to take a short break at least, and reflect. I needed to find my reason – my motivation. I needed to reflect back on work I’ve done before, and appreciate more what I have accomplished with my dance photography because I know this will make me a much better dance photographer in the future.

Words of Wisdom from James Abbott McNeill Whistler (1834 – 1903)

Sterling W. Sill noted that Whistler once said: “Whenever I feel that my hand has lost its cunning whenever I doubt my ability I look at the little picture of the spray of roses and say to myself ‘Whistler you painted that. Your hand drew it. Your imagination conceived the colors. Your skill put the roses on the canvas.’ Then said he I know that what I have done I can do again.”

Well, sometimes I get like that too…having doubts. Therefore, looking back at some past work gives me some reassurance that I do have skill at Performing Arts Photography. Seeing past work also allows me to evaluate circumstances and strategies to take better photographs. I can see photos I took before, and evaluate how I might do something different now. If the results are appropriate and good, then for the same types of settings (the environment of the performance) and situations (lighting, etc.) I may be able to use the same, or similar techniques and equipment. I look at my past work as if it were a reference book for me to study. Therefore, a look back can help me move forward more positively.

With that said, here are some of my personal favorite dance photos from my archives.

“Butterfly Lovers – Chinese Dance Drama” – The Temple of Fine Arts, Malaysia.

“Classical Indian Dance Drama-Paanchaali Sabatham”
Bharatanatyam – The Temple of Fine Arts, Penang.

Classical Indian Dance Master – Jayalakshmi Eshwar, “An internationally acclaimed Bharatanatyam exponent of par-excellence, Jayalakshmi is an excellent Performer, Choreographer, Teacher and an Author. She is a product of Kalakshetra, of (Late) smt. Rukmini Devi Arundale…She is the Artistic Director of the ‘Abhinaya Dance Group’ – New Delhi and is the Head of the Bharatanatyam Department at the Triveni Kala Sangam, New Delhi.” (Source: jayalakshmieshwar.com). I only had a brief time to talk with her, but in that short span, I immediately sensed a calm and caring nature – someone who loves dance and teaching.

I don’t remember the name of this dance, but it was an amazing two-person performance with much energy and friction – quite wonderfully choreographed. This was from the “Dancing to Connect” program coordinated by Aida Redza.

D’VOL LEGEND CREW – PENANG. A really good stage performance during a fundraising event which featured singing artists Mawi, Stacy, Mila and Ahli Fiqir.

I like to get in close for showing details. This is a henna painted hand of a Bharatanatyam dancer.

Classical Indian Dance, Odissi, is a dance form that goes back in time more than 2,000 years. from Odisha (Orissa). Odissi is one of my favorite types of dance to view and to photograph. The dancers create unique and flowing, contorted soft movements (like waves), always moving even if it appears that they are not, something is moving. The body is split up into three parts: head, bust and torso, called Tribhangi. All Odissi movements are based on the Tribhangi and Mudra, which is translated as “stamp” – the Odissi dancer expresses detailed hand gestures that represent ‘things’. The Odissi dance is performed with non-representational movements (Nritta), and using movements that are like a mime (Abhinaya), using hand movements and facial expressions to tell a story, or, to express a theme. Odissi also incorporates detailed footwork. At one Odissi performance I photographed, the Choreographer told me that a highly skilled Odissi dancer is one whose eyes always follow the hands. There are so many things I don’t know about Odissi dance – but all I do know is that I love watching and photographing Odissi dance: Odissi dance is an amazing experience!

OK…

I have had some time to reflect. Now, it is back to the present. I will soon continue adding the remaining photos from the Shingo Tokihiro exhibition; and also, new photos from the Dancebox performance, which was held here in Penang on Sunday, 18 Dec 2011.

Thanks for visiting my blog!

Filed under: Bharatanatyam, Butterfly Lovers, Classical Indian Dance, Dance Drama, Jayalakshmi Eshwar, Nawfal Nur Dance Photography, Odissi, Penang Performing Arts, PERFORMING ARTS PHOTOGRAPHY, STAGE PHOTOGRAPHY Tagged: Bharatanatyam, Classical Indian Dance, Dance Photography, Nawfal Johnson Nur, Odissi, Penang, Performing Arts

Aida Redza at the Shingo Tokihiro costume exhibition – dream of time

Nawfal Johnson Nur — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 19:05:49 +0000

Aida Redza dancing in the performing arts part of the Shingo Tokihiro costume exhibition – dream of time.

Aida Redza (right) and Lex Lakshman Balakrishnan (showing blurred dance action), Photography by Nawfal Johnson Nur, 17 Dec 2011, at the Shingo Tokihiro costume exhibition performance, Penang, Malaysia.

For Starters…

I have so much to do, and so much to say, and so many photographs to edit, upload to my dance photography blog, and Facebook, and I’m not sure where to start.

However, I want to thank my friend, Aida Redza, for inviting me to her performance during the Shingo Tokihiro costume exhibition. She and all the dancers and performers did a fantastic job. Mr. Tokihiro’s costumes were amazing. The performers wore the costumes with elegance and style. Of all my years photographing dance performances, this one was not only one of the most beautiful, but also, one of the most difficult!

Why Was This Performance So Difficult to Photograph?

I really loved the studio where this performance took place, Studio 2; but with that said, it was a Photographer’s Nightmare!

Imagine a room where the ceiling is painted flat black. Imagine the walls of this room painted flat black. Imagine now, if you will, that the curtains, the floor, and the chairs are ALL BLACK! In the ceiling, you can see that there are many spotlights. However, an all black room soaks up light like a black-hole: I could almost see the Event Horizon as the light got sucked out of the room.

But, as a Photographer, you try to calm yourself down, talk to yourself, chant, do your deep, earthy Yoga breathing and attempt to center yourself and prepare to take photographs, even when the majority of the light is being absorbed into the blackness of the room. Oh, and of course, flash is never allowed during stage performances.

That is why this was the most challenging performance yet, to photograph.

Some Successes – I Just Have to Edit A Lot!

Hey…what can I say, editing photographs is part of the deal. I shot slightly over 9GB of photos over the last two days, so that means a lot of editing. But, if I may say so myself, and I will toot my own horn here, because, as some wise person said before…maybe it was Jim Rohn…”if you don’t toot your own horn, then nobody else will.” Sometimes, you just have to give yourself a pat on the back so you know that what you accomplished, under whatever circumstance, trials and tribulations, that you did something good. And, that what you do means something, and has value.

Therefore, the first photo up there, above, yeah, that one, it is FREAKING AWESOME! Aida looks amazing, you can see the intensity in her dance, the perfect lines, the exciting action and involvement that she is engaged in this performance. You can see that she is a professional. The supersonic speed that Lex is moving adds intensity to the photograph. I, if I may say so, believe that this is one of my best photographs from the performance. It was a pleasure to design this photograph; and as I believe, the creation of a good photograph is a joint effort between Photographer and Subject(s), and in this case, both sides met in the middle…perfect.

DECISIONS…

Well…

I took approximately 270 photographs during the 1-hour (and a few minutes) performance. I edited those down to the best few dozen. I have six main subjects: Aida, Kimmy, Lex, Mei Hui, Mitsue, and of course, the man who made this entire exhibition possible, Shingo Tokihiro, the designer of the costumes.

I decided to go with an alphabetical approach, thus, starting with Aida. I probably would have started with Aida anyway, but it also works out alphabetically.

Therefore, here are some of the shots I took of Aida Redza at the “Dream of Time” performance.

Aida Redza and Lex Lakshman Balakrishnan, 17 Dec 2011, Dream of Time Performance, Photography by Nawfal Johnson Nur, Penang, Malaysia.

Aida Redza, 17 Dec 2011, Dream of Time Performance, Photography by Nawfal Johnson Nur, Penang, Malaysia.

Aida Redza and Lex Lakshman Balakrishnan, 17 Dec 2011, Dream of Time Performance, Photography by Nawfal Johnson Nur, Penang, Malaysia.

Aida Redza, 17 Dec 2011, Dream of Time Performance, Photography by Nawfal Johnson Nur, Penang, Malaysia.

Aida Redza and Lex Lakshman Balakrishnan, 17 Dec 2011, Dream of Time Performance, Photography by Nawfal Johnson Nur, Penang, Malaysia.

Aida Redza, 17 Dec 2011, Dream of Time Performance, Photography by Nawfal Johnson Nur, Penang, Malaysia.

Aida Redza, Lex Lakshman Balakrishnan, Kimmy Kiew, and in the back is the masked Shingo Tokihiro, 17 Dec 2011, Dream of Time Performance, Photography by Nawfal Johnson Nur, Penang, Malaysia.

Loo Mei Hui and Aida Redza, 17 Dec 2011, Dream of Time Performance, Photography by Nawfal Johnson Nur, Penang, Malaysia.

Aida Redza and Lex Lakshman Balakrishnan, 17 Dec 2011, Dream of Time Performance, Photography by Nawfal Johnson Nur, Penang, Malaysia.

Aida Redza and Kimmy Kiew, 17 Dec 2011, Dream of Time Performance, Photography by Nawfal Johnson Nur, Penang, Malaysia.

Lex Lakshman Balakrishnan, Aida Redza and Mitsue Wakabayashi, performing during the "Dream of Time" performance, Photography by Nawfal Johnson Nur, 2011, Penang, Malaysia

Aida Redza after the "Dream of Time" performance, Photography by Nawfal Johnson Nur, 2011, Penang, Malaysia

Wow! So there they are – Aida’s photographs. There are still more photographs of the other performers, to come in the next few blog entries.

A lot of thanks also goes to the Performing Arts Centre of Penang, for hosting such a great show, and having a really good facility for the performing arts.

Filed under: DANCE PHOTOGRAPHY, Japanese Costume Design, PERFORMING ARTS PHOTOGRAPHY, STAGE PHOTOGRAPHY Tagged: Aida Redza, Dance Photography, Kimmy Kiew, Lex Lakshman Balakrishnan, Loo Mei Hui, Mitsue Wakabayashi, Nawfal Johnson Nur, Shingo Tokihiro Japanese Costumes

LEX LAKSHMAN BALAKRISHNAN

Nawfal Johnson Nur — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 19:42:11 +0000

LEX LAKSHMAN BALAKRISHNAN, dancing during the Shingo Tokihiro Japanese Costume Exhibition: dream of time, Penang, Malaysia, 17 Dec 2011, Photography by Nawfal Johnson Nur

Lex Lakshman Balakrishnan (dancer from Kuala Lumpur) in the foreground, and Actress, Kimmy Kiew, sitting gracefully in her white gown, waiting for her turn to perform. Lex plays the part of summer, and Kimmy plays the part of autumn.

Filed under: DANCE PHOTOGRAPHY, Japanese Costume Design, Modern Dance, PERFORMING ARTS PHOTOGRAPHY Tagged: Kimmy Kiew, Lex Lakshman Balakrishnan, Nawfal Johnson Nur, Shingo Tokihiro costumes

Loo Mei Hui, Violinist

Nawfal Johnson Nur — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 19:10:43 +0000

A photograph of Loo Mei Hui, Violinist, performing at Shingo Tokihiro’s costume exhibition: dream of time, 17 Dec 2011, Penang, Malaysia.

LOO MEI HUI, VIOLINIST, Performing at Shingo Tokihiro Costume Exhibition: dream of time, 17 Dec 2011, Penang, Malaysia.

Filed under: Japanese Costume Design, PERFORMING ARTS PHOTOGRAPHY Tagged: Loo Mei Hui, Malaysia, Nawfal Johnson Nur, Penang, SHINGO TOKIHIRO, Violinist

SHINGO TOKIHIRO Costume Exhibition – dream of time, Part 1

Nawfal Johnson Nur — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 18:35:41 +0000

Photos taken 17 Dec 2011, at the Shingo Tokihiro Costume Exhibition, “dream of time.” These are the first images I took as I came into the Penang PAC, where the exhibition took place. The wonderful, detailed Japanese costumes, sans dancers. Some of these costumes would soon be taken to be worn by dancers for the dance exhibition.

SHINGO TOKIHIRO COSTUMES, dream of time exhibition, Penang, Malaysia, Photography by Nawfal Johnson Nur

Filed under: Japanese Costume Design, STAGE PHOTOGRAPHY Tagged: DREAM OF TIME, JAPANESE COSTUME DESIGN, Malaysia, Nawfal Johnson Nur, Penang, SHINGO TOKIHIRO

Photographic Interpretations of “Dancing to Connect” Performance – Part Two

Nawfal Johnson Nur — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 08:27:00 +0000

This is a continuation-exhibition of Modern Dance Photographs. I captured these photographs at the “Dancing to Connect” performance, in Penang, Malaysia (1 Oct 2011). “Dancing to Connect” is an international dance workshop produced and conducted by the New York based Battery Dance Company.

The End of the

Interpretations of “Dancing to Connect” Performance.

I hope you enjoyed seeing my photographs.

Filed under: DANCE PHOTOGRAPHY, Modern Dance, PERFORMING ARTS PHOTOGRAPHY, STAGE PHOTOGRAPHY Tagged: Available Light Photography, Battery Dance Company, Dancing to Connect, Lorna Hoong, Modern Dance, Nawfal Johnson Nur, Sean Scantlebury, Stage Photography

Dancing to Connect Photographs – Part One (Getting the Ball Rolling)

Nawfal Johnson Nur — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 20:01:00 +0000

Modern Dance Photography - From the “Dancing to Connect” performance held in Penang, 1 Oct 2011.

This is my first post at this new photo blog. This is ‘Part One’ (an introduction to the performance) of the photographs captured at the “Dancing to Connect,” dance performance.

The “Dancing to Connect” program is a workshop developed by the Battery Dance Company of New York City. The Battery Dance Company has taken the dance workshop to many countries around the world as a way to promote dance, understanding and to “engage international youth in creativity and team building through the American art form of modern dance.” (Source: Battery Dance Company).

I was lucky enough to have attended the performance on Saturday night, and I was even more grateful to have brought my camera with me and to be given permission and access to photograph the performance.

My special thanks go to Aida Redza who so generously made it possible for me to move freely and take photographs – Thank you Aida! Aida is also a FANTASTIC dancer, teacher and choreographer. I first took photographs of Aida in the year 2000, and it was great to see her again.

The U.S Embassy of Kuala Lumpur was instrumental in helping to make the workshop and performance in Penang, possible. The workshop was hosted by PEARL (Penang Arts Link).

The performance highlighted dances by Sean Scantlebury, of the Battery Dance Company; and, Lorna Hoong, a Malaysian dancer from the National Academy of Arts, Culture and Heritage (ASWARA). Other dance performances were conducted by young dancers who took part in the “Dancing to Connect” workshop.

The following images are an introduction to what I ‘Interpreted’ with my camera, during the dance performance.

Caption: Students of the “Dancing to Connect” Workshop.

Caption: Sean Scantlebury of the New York based Battery Dance Company.

Caption: A student from the “Dancing to Connect” workshop.

Caption: Sean Scantlebury and Lorna Hoong.

Caption: Students of the “Dancing to Connect” workshop.

Caption: A quiet moment for a dancer waiting to go on stage.

Caption: Sean Scantlebury and Lorna Hoong.

Caption: Sean Scantlebury of the New York based, Battery Dance Company, performing a modern dance routine during a show associated with the “Dancing to Connect” workshop, in Penang, Malaysia.

More photographs to come soon…Thanks for your visit.

Filed under: DANCE PHOTOGRAPHY, PERFORMING ARTS PHOTOGRAPHY, STAGE PHOTOGRAPHY Tagged: Battery Dance Company, Dance Photography, Dancing to Connect, Lorna Hoong, Malaysia, Modern Dance, Nawfal Johnson Nur, Penang, Performing Arts, Sean Scantlebury

Interpretations of Dance thru the Lens

5 January 2012 – The Art of Moving Forward

Photography from the Shingo Tokihiro Costume Exhibition, in Penang, Malaysia. The performance and theme of the exhibition was “Dream of Time: A Sanctuary of Harmony & Beauty.”

Just something for 1st Jan 2012

Bilik Mimpi in Photos

Bilik Mimpi – Choreographed by Suhaili Micheline binti Ahmad Kamil, and performed by Siti Amellia Feroz and Raziman bin Sarbini.

Performed on 18 Dec 2011

All Photographs are Copyright 2011 Nawfal Johnson Nur No unauthorized use without permission.

The Masked Performer – Shingo Tokihiro

The Masked Performer is played by Shingo Tokihiro, himself, the designer of the Japanese Costumes.

Mitsue Wakabayashi Photos, from the Shingo Tokihiro Costume Exhibition

The following are photographs of Japanese dancer, Mitsue Wakabayashi, taken during the Shingo Tokihiro Costume Exhibition performance of, “Dream of Time.”

Lex Lakshman Balakrishnan Photos from the Shingo Tokihiro Costume Exhibition

Lex Lakshman Balakrishnan Photographs taken at the Shingo Tokihiro Costume Exhibition Performance: Dream of Time.

Loo Mei Hui Photos from the Shingo Tokihiro Costume Exhibition Performance

Loo Mei Hui: performed violin and also played the part of ‘summer’ in the “Dream of Time” Performance.

Kimmy Kiew Photographs

Kimmy Kiew Photographs designed during her performance at the Shingo Tokihiro costume exhibition: dream of time.

Dance Photos – Back to the Future

A Look Back to Move Forward

“Jashanna – The Temple of Fine Arts, Penang, Malaysia”

Copyright 2000 Nawfal Johnson Nur

Words of Wisdom from James Abbott McNeill Whistler (1834 – 1903)

“Butterfly Lovers – Chinese Dance Drama” – The Temple of Fine Arts, Malaysia.

“Classical Indian Dance Drama-Paanchaali Sabatham” Bharatanatyam – The Temple of Fine Arts, Penang.

I don’t remember the name of this dance, but it was an amazing two-person performance with much energy and friction – quite wonderfully choreographed. This was from the “Dancing to Connect” program coordinated by Aida Redza.

D’VOL LEGEND CREW – PENANG. A really good stage performance during a fundraising event which featured singing artists Mawi, Stacy, Mila and Ahli Fiqir.

I like to get in close for showing details. This is a henna painted hand of a Bharatanatyam dancer.

Aida Redza at the Shingo Tokihiro costume exhibition – dream of time

Aida Redza dancing in the performing arts part of the Shingo Tokihiro costume exhibition – dream of time.

For Starters…

Why Was This Performance So Difficult to Photograph?

Some Successes – I Just Have to Edit A Lot!

DECISIONS…

LEX LAKSHMAN BALAKRISHNAN

Loo Mei Hui, Violinist

SHINGO TOKIHIRO Costume Exhibition – dream of time, Part 1

Photographic Interpretations of “Dancing to Connect” Performance – Part Two

Interpretations of “Dancing to Connect” Performance.

Dancing to Connect Photographs – Part One (Getting the Ball Rolling)

Modern Dance Photography - From the “Dancing to Connect” performance held in Penang, 1 Oct 2011.

All Photographs are Copyright 2011 Nawfal Johnson Nur
No unauthorized use without permission.

“Classical Indian Dance Drama-Paanchaali Sabatham”
Bharatanatyam – The Temple of Fine Arts, Penang.