Many years ago there was an art show for kids on UK TV which would show a gallery of viewers pictures while playing Left Bank Two. When I got to a year of dancers I thought I should at least put them to music once, but finding something to fit them all would be impossible, so I thought I'd make a musical gallery with that vibe.
Here it is. A year of Fridays & some easy listening.
Today in Labor History May 28, 1912: Fifteen women were fired from their jobs at the Curtis Publishing Company, in Philadelphia, for dancing the Turkey Trot. They were on their lunch break, but management thought the dance too racy. The Turkey Trot was a fast dance, generally danced by the members of the youth counterculture, to ragtime tunes, like Scott Joplin's Maple Leaf Rag. The Vatican denounced the dance. Conservatives tried to get it banned. Some dancers were fined by the courts for “disorderly conduct.” In 1913, a conservative reaction song was produced called the Anti-Ragtime Girl. In 1963, Little Eva (of Locomotion fame) recorded a tribute to the Turkey Trot called Let’s Turkey Trot.
There's a photography technique I use that I never see anyone else do so it's time I share it. I use it to capture action shots of people... typically dancing.
Most people would handle these situations by zooming in, spraying and praying, or being exceedingly patient for that ONE shot to materialize.
Those strategies were too unreliable for me so I learned to move with my subjects.
I pre-focus the lens for a set distance, wide-angle, full manual, and set the camera against my cheek. I move the camera only by moving my feet. If my subject twists, I twist. If they step toward me, I step back so they stay in focus.
Because I’m not using any viewfinder, my peripheral vision is good. You immerse yourself in the scene. When it feels right you shoot blind. With practice, your shots will line up.
You obviously will need good balance and confident footwork for this. I'm reaching back on years of Shaolin Kung Fu. If you've done dance or martial arts, you can get the hang of this.
Hi everyone. I'm going to share a new #introduction.
I'm a #nonbinary (they/them) movement journalist in my 40s, currently based in Central #Texas. From 2022 until today's layoffs, I was Digital Editor at the @TexasObserver. I've been a writer, journalist, editor since at least 2011, when I got my start on the primordial political blog Firedoglake. My involvement with the Occupy Wall Street movement helped make me a journo and I've always worn my bias on my sleeve. (1/?)
We've made it to week thirty-five, and I didn't expect them to be attempting the can-can but it's all about self expression. If that's what they want to do, they can give it a go.
As always, have an excellent weekend, if you possibly can (can) 😀