Carole Edrich Weblog

the best shot

MoblogUK is a fantastic international community whose denizens share and discuss photos. It's a privilege to be part of it and share glimpses into the way fellow Mobloggers see the world.

As with any community very different attitudes, jobs, life experiences, socio-economic, ethnic and religious backgrounds are represented. Members are a whole range of ages, some are healthier than others and even live in different countries. Sadly one valued UK-based member passed away after a heroic battle with leukaemia. Another, Heather (YourHermione to us), is in remission from Hodgkins disease.

Everyone knows that US health services aren’t provided for free. Heather has health insurance but it doesn't cover her expenses. Bronxelf discovered that her fight with cancer was excaberated by the stress of the struggle to find money for treatments, attendant bills and prescription costs. To help her friend stave off financial collapse she approached a number of us with the same question “Who wants to get naked to help Heather lick cancer” and coordinated the creation of the Lime Suckers Calendar doing much of the work herself. That calendar, featuring 14 normal women in various stages of undress is now available. Find out more about it here.

Another twilight lesson at the Crypt
(c) Carole Edrich, 2006

Others wanted to help as well. JokerXL, Boet and ColaXL decided to ask Mobloggers to join in with another project to help Heather. They’re sending disposable cameras to volunteers around the world. At each stop a randomly selected recipient takes one photo of something outstanding before sending the camera on. The results will be turned into a book, all proceeds of which will go to Heather. I was lucky enough to be the first recipient of one of the cameras and took my best shot to help her.

Just one shot. It was quite a responsibility. Deciding on appropriate subject material took quite a while. In the end I decided on an image of dance, leaving iconic views of London for others. Taking the shot was surprisingly difficult as well. You can’t check the image quality because the disposable’s not digital, and even with practice shots (using another camera) it’s difficult to be sure you've done well. I hate using flash but decided that washed out colours would be better than blurry dark images. If it works it will depict a twilight tango class. Twilight is lighter and seemed safer than an atmospheric evening milonga where the moves are faster and less predictable. The books will be published towards the end of this year. Keep an eye on my blog or here if you’re interested in learning more.

Calendar front cover
design by Culfinglin, 2006

We've not yet achieved this year's target for Heather. There are less than 60 calendars left but sales have slowed right down. Please visit the site and order a calendar or make a donation. This is a real appeal on behalf of a friend in need. The money goes direct to Heather via PayPal. In case it helps, I’m on the back cover.

Give Heather the best shot at recovery - buy a calendar or donate now.

result!

It’s not surprising that Sarita Bansal was selected to be photographed by Eamonn McCabe or that Craig Taylor wrote about her. She’s a beautiful woman as well as an excellent and enthusiastic amateur flamenco bailaora. She’s also very well connected. When Craig Taylor asked if she knew of any other types of dancers I was lucky she thought of me.

Eamonn McCabe at work
photo (c) Carole Edrich, 2007

I need as much publicity as possible both for some dance projects that are coming up and for next year’s expedition to Argentina. The Guardian is a good paper and I’d love to write regularly in it myself. When Sarita told me that Eamonn McCabe would be working with Craig Taylor my decision was made. A talented man in his own right Eamonn was the Guardian’s picture editor for years, has won prestigious prizes for his photography and is someone I really wanted to meet.

Years ago it was normal to follow three hours of flamenco lessons with all night salsa. I still like the dance but tango has become much more of a passion. There's a quantum leap in sophistication and depth between the two dances. Tango is more difficult to learn and the communication's so different. Salsa might be sexy, flirtatious and fun but tango is exotic and an intoxicating physical and mental challenge that takes things to another level.

The writer Craig Taylor is an interesting guy. He came to the UK from California about seven years ago as part of Naomi Klein’s “No Logo” team. Although his first love is punk rock and American Indie, he enoyed Nik Ransom’s Goth track so much he joined in the dance! Outside the studio he was a quiet, engaging interviewer who left me with the impression that his brain was sparking rapidly. It put me in mind of the way that a swan’s legs paddle frantically in the water despite its peaceful and graceful demeanour above.

Nik Ransom dancing for Eamonn McCabe
photo (c) Carole Edrich, 2007

Eamonn McCabe has a twinkle in his eye and a preciseness of movement that must come from years of practice. He asked each dancer to run through their favourite track and then talked with them about how the photography would best work. That wasn’t really possible for tango. I had to imagine the moves, and pose as if dancing with an invisible man. It was so difficult! One could say that's because the best tango steps are only possible when you dance as a couple. It's more likely that spending the whole day at an intensive WSET Advanced Wines Course is what made my shoes unaccountably wobbly.

Craig wanted one favourite track. Truth be told, what I like depends on mood, partner and context. However, some time ago Avril heard something, thought of me and sent it. Another Perfect Catastrophe by Firewater is a musically manic, atmospheric, exciting song that draws you into an intoxicating feeling of giddy complicity. That's very similar to what you feel when all the pieces fall together in tango. I’m looking forward to the feedback. I’m sure that tango purists will detest the choice so it should be rather good fun.

The whole thing was a great experience. I’ve achieved another tiny chunk of the publicity I need. I've learned more about other people's photography and writing techniques. I saw how Eamonn thought about shape within the blue frame of his studio background. How he looked at the pattern of the dance, waited for the right moment and took far fewer shots than I expected. I learned about Craig's interview technique, the way he takes notes and converts them into a piece. And discovered how extraordinarily difficult it is to look as if you’re dancing a couples' dance without a partner.

While the column and photo are great the real result came when Eamonn agreed that I could shadow him. I'll learn so much and couldn’t be looking forward to it more.

making a spanish dancer?

Auditoria are rarely designed with a laptop–wielding audience in mind and the Lilian Baylis Theatre is no exception. Dame Marina Keet is the leading expert in Spanish Dance so it was important to record her words. Typing verbatim on the laptop is no problem, and as I can't write fast enough with pen and paper in the dark there was no other choice.

the laptop holds more interest for some than others
photo (c) Carole Edrich, 2007

The only clearly available electric plug in this theatre was on the wall by the front row. That meant an unseemly rush to the seat nearby. I was concerned that the audience would avoid the seats around me because they didn't want the distraction of a laptop, so was very relieved when a family of four took them. Three generations had come to watch Ines Alexandre perform. Even though she's just nine years old I'm sure her father was more nervous than she!

Ines danced several times with three other girls of the same age. Each had a careful elegance and deportment that belied their years. It was lovely to watch her father's pleasure grow as we both saw Ines slowly lose her nerves, start to enjoy performing and respond to the final applause with a wonderful smile. Other students from Escuela de Baile and the Central School of Dance performed, as did Conchita del Campo and various UK based dancers and musicians.

As one would expect from anything with which Dame Keet was involved it was a comprehensive, structured and entertaining evening. I knew that Dame Keet would deliver a wealth of knowledge and unique perspectives on Spanish dance but was enchanted by the enthusiasm and gentle humour with which it was delivered. The Alexandre family's friendliness was an added bonus and even though her brother Luis was not converted (he still prefers football) I found the entire evening inspirational - an encapsulation of everything I love about dance.

Preparing for an earlier Escuela de Baile show at the Peacock Theatre
photo (c) Carole Edrich, 2006

Little Ines will go back to regular flamenco lessons with Nuria Garcia at Escuela de Baile. Is she another great Spanish Dancer in the making?

We’ll just have to wait and see.

Review of the evening

Full transcript of lecture given by Dame Marina Keet