I can hardly believe that Dahlia has been in ballet for 5 full years. When she was a tumbling, only happy when flying through the air, 3 year old - I never would have thought she would have had the patience for ballet. Having her bff at her side through each class and concert hasn't hurt one bit, of course.
(I've been getting some private messages that people are having trouble commenting. Sometimes blogger is in a funny mood. Sorry.)
(They danced to the music of "The good, the bad and the ugly".)
And so....it was ballet recital time again this past week-end. I remember the first one so well. Tear stained cheeks and hands shaking I could hardly hold my camera still. I was so thrilled to be sitting in the audience - watching my shy, cling-on little one flitting around on the big stage in front of about 1,000 people.
(And to think that Milana will be starting her ballet classes in the fall. Boggles the mind.)
I guess stage nerves take a while to kick in. This year Dahlia wasn't shy about expressing just how nervous she gets backstage, waiting to go on. She told me "Mom....when I'm waiting, my teeth chatter" (Gave my heart a little lurch.)
So this year, I spent some time trying to calm her and reassure her. I said " try and think about just Mommy and Daddy out there in the audience - and how proud we are of you ". And her reply " Yeah, yeah.....and everyone else is naked !!! "
!
Have a look at Lisa's blog for some beautiful photography this week.
This lovely young dancer really caught my eye and I was frantically snapping away - trying to be discreet. No cameras are permitted (WHAT??!) so discretion is....ummmm....necessary. I understand no flash of course, but no cameras? Yeah right. With a hall full of parents - what are they thinking?
I had my ISO up around 2,000 and shutter speed only at about 1/160 so as to get as much light as possible - thus the noise (grain).
Twice, someone came over to me to tell me to put my camera away. I nodded politely and kept on snapping.
Wow....she was lovely!
As were these munchkins, of course!
Mommy and Daddy are very proud of our big "baby" girl !
Happy Wednesday.
Hi, I'm Wanda. I am a happy woman, wife to Danny for...oh....lots a years and finally Mom to THE most adorable little girl from Hunan, China - Dahlia. And now we have been blessed again with another daughter, Milana, from Zhejiang, China. (The 2 best things I've ever done!)
We live in the Montreal area. After a loooonnngg wait for Dahlia's little sister Milana (pronounced - Mee-lana, like banana), we finally brought her home in August 2009. Dahlia came to us in Nov 2004 (at 20 months of age)and a year later we began the application for another baby - at the time the waiting period was around 8 months. Almost 4 years later (say what!?!)we, at last, brought Milana home.
This began as the story of our journey to bring Milana home and life with her big sister, Dahlia. It now continues as we live as a family of four!
God.
My (growing) family.
Hangin' out with my girlies.
My wonderful friends (you know who you are!).
To laugh (out loud and a lot!).
Music.
Painting. Hugs.
Long chats with my buds.
My garden.
To read (ha...when I can!).
Sunshine.
Spring, Spring and more Spring.
Building things.
Cooking.
Decorating.
Parties (ahem).
The internet.
Life.
Movies. A.I.
Dancing with the stars.
So you think you can dance.
Travel. Umm..did I say laughing my head off.
Oh Gee...everything actually!!
22 comments:
She is such an amazing little dancer. She looks awesome up there on stage. 1,000 people. I can't even imagine.
Are you serious? They don't let people take pictures? That is pure craziness Wanda! I would smile politely and keep on doing exactly what you did if they told me that. Ridiculous in every way!
PS These pictures look awesome for having such a high ISO. WOW!
Oh, Wanda --You must have been such a proud momma that night! Dahlia looks so lovely.
And you got some wonderful shots even if you had to shoot on the sly! :)
We were told that we were not allowed to take pictures either at Z's recital, but at the last minute they decided we could as long as we didn't use flash.
These are just stunning in black and white!
Oh so cute!! And those b&w's are amazing! Especially since you had to be sneaky ;D I would've kept on snapping too!
Wanda, First of all....1000 people!!! Anyone would be a little nervous. I know you're incredibly proud of your girl, she's so beautiful and looks happy on stage!
All of them are stunning!!!
The dance pics of Grace's recital were shot at the rehearsal, they also didn't allow cameras. Good for you, sneaky mamma!! :)
xoxo
Gail - I find 1,000 easier to handle than 5. You can get lost with 1,000. Just look for the light.
=)
How much ambient light was available? Was it a spotlight? If these are without a flash, they are spectacular (JUST FOR EXPOSURE)! Apart from that they are spectacular. :)
I love all of the photos! Ballet recitals are such fun. She looks just beautiful!
So adorable! Wow, she is so brave, just look at her, you wouldn't even be able to tell that she gets nervous.
Those shots are awesome! You must be using a zoom lens? And without any light, that is incredible!
I can not wait for Jenny to start ballet! Your pictures are just amazing Wanda!! So glad you took your camera!
CM and Jimh - I used my 18-200 zoom on my Nikon D300. There was no ambient light except for stage lights and spots that kept moving and changing. I exposed at +2 and my f/stop was around 3.5. And I spot metered too. It helps the zoom. And then edited them like mad.
=)
Absolutely beautiful pictures....
Spectacular Wanda! You did an amazing job. We're not allow to take pictures at Nat's dance recital either. I'm always taking them backstage since I help out. It's definitely a different perspective from the sidelines.
All I can say is you really out did yourself. What wonderful memories you now have to look back on. :-)
xoxo
p.s. We need to set up another day to chat. Let me know when a good time is for you.
Beautiful photos. The B&Ws are gorgeous. I absolutely love the spotlight in the first photo.
oh my goodness! she's beautiful and amazing. and WOW. I love these photos! I'm putting Tia in ballet purely for the selfish reason of loving the recitals!
ps I hope you can pass along those photos of that dancer to her - she is gorgeous and you captured her amazingly!!!
xo ellie
ps too funny about Dahlia's "everyone else is naked" comment!! lol.
Wow!!!! Great shots and I love love love the B&W. You did a great job with such a beautiful light.
Love the B&W of the ballerina! And Dahlia is just too cute! Glad you were able to sneak in a few shots :)
Pretty fabulous shots. Looks like you are right on the stage. And you did all of that while sneaking? You are my idol.
R has a ballet recital next Saturday. Should be fun.
M.
Amazing shots! I would probably have my camera confiscated here. The law about taking pictures of children in public places is insane.
Your daughter is lovely and I can see the energy right to her finger tips.
My daughter started when she was three and still going strong at 17! Dance has given her so many opportunities to travel and do shows in amazing places. Keep it up.
Take care. xxx
Your photography is amazing! Brilliant and beautiful!
Alyzabeth's Mommy
I could not leave without quickly leaving you a note on these photos.... LOVE THEM!! Oh my goodness, look at your little dancer! She looks like she is totally in her element up there on that stage:)
You captured some amazing shots Wanda..WOWSA!!!
xoxo,
Lisa
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