Analysis of Maya Almeida Photography

Maya Almeida

"Maya has spent over a decade photographing movement - in and out of water. Her inspiration comes from living in place of limitless possibility. As an photographer she hopes to take the viewer with her on a Journey that is far from reality."

Maya has assisted and trained with Chris Nash in London , she also learned lots from Lois Greenfield in New York. 

Her dance images have been exhibited at City Hall in London during the Cultural Olympyiad 2012, toured the UK including the Metal Culture venue in Chalkwell Hall. 

Her ocean work was chosen for a multi-media installation at the Arles Salon in France in 2012 and her latest 'Underwater Dance' series was selected as one of only two UK photographers for the Shanghai International Invitational Exhibition, 2014.

I like this first image that Almeida has created as it displays an interesting posture for the dancer underwater, this wouldn't have been able to be captured if it wasn't for the dancers ability to bend backward into a very flexible position. Almeida captures the image in such a way that both the surface of the water and the dancers draped cloth are both in frame, the interesting use of light shining in from above the surface really captures interesting and diffused rays of light across the pool.

Almeida's equally interesting studio work displays two men, one in mid air and the other in a distorted position on the floor, I like the use of lighting shining directly onto the front of one man and the back of the man in front, this really confuses the eye and creates an interesting optical illusion as you are almost unable to justify whether or not they are directly above each other or if someone is behind the other. The clarity and sharpness of the image displays every single part of the body and the use of shadow and light really helps this also. The minimalist clothing and background focusses the eyes on the shape being created by the dancer. 

In this image Maya really uses the interest of the draped cloth to create a very interesting and contrasting image. The use of the dark background in the water and the light shone from directly above the dancer causes interesting shadows and creases onto the cloth and the colour works against the colour of the watery background, The surface of the waters reflection creates an interesting shape due to the diffraction of the light and the lime green colour creates an interesting intensity. The interesting idea of symmetry that is displayed onto the top of the surface and so it creates a surreal feel to the image. 

In this image Maya uses two dancers to create an idea of depth into the image. The sharp focus of the image shows even the most minute detail of the bubbles. The use of flowing cloth against the strong and dense muscles of the dancer as well as the blurry water background. The use of light shining in from various directions creates interesting shadow and also gives a very surreal atmosphere to the image. 

Analysis of Chris Nash Photography

Chris Nash

Chris Nash is a London based photographer who splits his time between commercial assignments, fine art photography and teaching. 

After graduating with a BA in Fine Art from Goldsmiths.

 Chris built a reputation as 'one of the most creative photographers of his generation'  and has held over 60 exhibitions of his Dance photographs in 18 different countries. His work has had such an impact on contemporary dance in England that he is the recipient of a Dance Umbrella/Time Out Award.

Aside from his dance photography, Chris Nash pictures can be found on advertising billboards, in fashion catalogues and on album and book covers. 

This first image created by Chris Nash exposes his use of light in his images and  by having the studio light coming in from the the right hand side it enables the photograph to capture the shadows that have been cast across their bodies and from their rippling muscles to be seen clearly also, rather than washing it all out from a bright front flash. Chris Nash has also explored the idea of timing being of extreme importance, as both women seem to be utterly synchronised in their body language and positioning. Everything appears to be in focus, as he has captured it in a thousandth of a second, even the ruffles on the dress seem to be pin sharp and clear. This is effective because you are able to freeze the motion in time and examine the mood and emotion being expressed in the image easily. 

In this image Chris Nash has used black and white colouring to draw attention to the varying shades and harshness of the white light and creating a distorting silhouette of the dances body as it juxtaposes the light grey background immensely. The light is shone from the top of the studio giving an interesting pool of light beneath the dancer, and anything the is directly underneath the light. The angular positioning of the dancer is easily displayed and the creases in his clothing is highlighted by the lighting and creates quite a surreal and unrealistic position. 

















In this image Nash has arranged his dancers in such a way that they are existing up in the air at the same point in time and they are all captured sharing the same pose. This is interesting as it displays many different people communally sharing a pose together in the air, the flash used enables this image to be in focus and appear pin sharp. The interesting foreground interest of the woman placed directly in the centre of the image makes this the focal point and the use of thirds making the floor less of an interesting section of the image and enables you to focus on the dancers at the top.