Richard Calmes is an inspirational photographer. He is known internationally for his work photographing dancers but it was in a very different context that Richard began his affair with the camera. It was in the war torn arena of Vietnam in the 60s that he began his photographic journey. Since then throughout his professional life, as a marketing professional and international entrepreneur, photography has featured in his work. His interest in dance stems from his wife and daughter's interest in the art form and his own life long participation in long distance running which has given him a particular appreciation of the athleticism of dance.

Richard is a consummate technician, but his understanding of the artistry of dance and photography combine to produce images of the most extraordinary beauty. "As my daughter grew up studying dance, I gained a deep respect for the work and sacrifice that goes into building a dancer. This type of knowledge is critical for a photographer. If you try to shoot a performance without understanding choreography, you will miss opportunities for pictures. Timing is critical."

"For me it is about catching the moment that goes by in the blink of an eye. When a dancer summons consciously and unconsciously 15-20 years of training and moves in a beautiful way, or explodes into the air with a leap of incredible height and grace, the challenge is knowing in advance when that moment will happen on stage."

"I have chosen these 15 images because they show how variable dance can be. There is more to dance than tremendous leaps and jumps. There can be quiet power in a still pose. There is color in dance, but there is also line and form. Dance is so much more than "tricks." It encompasses such a range of beauty that there is no limit to the images it can produce, or the feelings it can invoke within us."

Visit Richard's fantastic website at
www.richardcalmes.com

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