The Shadow
Khiva, Uzbekistan 2012
We waited for an hour or more for the puppet show to start. We didn’t just sit idly, though. We tried to get some backstage shots and this was the winner. Torie is attracted to shadows and noticed the silhouette of the clown applying her makeup. As we approached, we could see the clown herself and this is my attempt to use the shadow to enhance my photo.
I never think of shadows when I’m shooting, but notice them when I’m editing my shots. They can make or break a shot. If a shadow falls across a face causing it to look mottled, it ruins the portrait. But sometimes, a shadow completes the shot and the story. See my blog, shoot for the shadows.
The puppets were nearly life sized, made of papier mache and animated by the use of sticks and strings. The actions of the puppets and music told the story. There was no dialogue. The crowd loved the music and many began to dance. Two young men danced right up on stage, becoming part of the show. No one cared. School children dressed in uniforms began to show their moves. Young girls and boys could shoulder-shimmy with the best of them.