Brad Walls Uses a Drone to Create Unique Photos of Ballerinas

All images by Brad Walls. Used with permission. Want to submit to Photo Essays? Click here for the Guidelines.

Initially inspired by an image by Olive Cotton, “Teacup ballet”, Brad Walls began exploring the concept in early 2020, pinning ideas to a virtual inspiration board that consisted of shadows, shapes and tutus, stating that “Most people had seen Ballet photographed traditionally… and while those photos are undeniably beautiful, I wanted to rewrite the composition, purely focusing on the unique shapes and shadows of the art form.” Offering an alternate view is the foundation of Walls’ work; however, he also innately knew that “ballerine de l’air” would be a gallery-worthy body of work. “I had photographed people from above – including Olympians and models – and while those shots were very compelling, I knew here that combining such a prestigious art form with an alternate view would truly be the embodiment of my work,” says Walls.

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Bailarina y Urbe: Finding Beauty Through Contrast

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All images by Saskia Font. Used with permission.

“I have this project called Bailarina y Urbe, which tries to mix the beauty and sensitivity of dance and the roughness and coldness of the city jungle.” is how photographer Saskia Font explains a bit about her work in an email to the Phoblographer. “I also try to look for emblematic spots in the city in Barcelona, because you can find beautiful architecture here.”

Saskia comes from a family of artists; and started shooting photos early on in life. It was only in her 20s that she started to take the art form more seriously.

Part of the influence behind Bailarina y Urbe is because her grandparents were dancers; and so she’s always been attracted to ballet. On top of that, she studied it in her younger years. Then, the project started in 2010, and she’s collaborated with several ballerinas who have become her muse in her project.

 

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