Cookin' Backstage I: for Flydragon Photo

Photographer’s Note

This month, my work took me to the Cook Islands. Most of you might be saying, "Where?" They're between Fiji and Tahiti, in the mythical South Seas.

The missionaries came down pretty hard in that area. Where once polygamy, cannibalism, tattooing and kava-chewing was commonplace, they now have hard-core Christianity. However, one thing the missionaries could not stamp out was the traditional Cook Islands dancing. (Bare breasts were covered by coconut shell bras, but that seems to be the only concession.) Accompanied by a fierce team of drummers, women and men both gyrate and hip-shake fantastically. It's not just tourist entertainment, either -- this is a living art. Kids perform at special ceremonies -- for example, at the opening of a new hospital, and suchlike. Every village is chockablock with middle-aged women who could dance the pants off Britney Spears (*shudder*).

I had the great fortune to be backstage at the yearly interisland dance competition. Because Simon always does such a beautiful and inspiring job backstage, I couldn't help but think of him while I was shooting these photos.

bnallama, Luko, Isabelle, rowanb, kajspice has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

GusTheo (80) 2006-05-18 15:20

There is something about this photo I like. Hmmm....What could it be?

flydragon (0) 2006-05-18 15:44

heheh what a surprise
i just finished some shushi and was looking Mulan 2 with my daughter ;o)
hhehe Miss Pup thi is my dessert, thx a lot for this pics
and welcome the the backstage.
u did good with this one, love this girl with her position,
she seems want hide her body, but this is funny because she will dance i guess after, and with this same costum ;o)
a nice composition Lisan with a Pup color ;o).
thx again for this picture.
your title is Cookin' Backstage I hehe that mean we will have a number II. i wait to see.
kiss
••simon••

AnimeshRay (8886) 2006-05-18 16:17

Wow! What a charming take in Cook Islands! Fabulous color and mirror effect, and this pretty little girl is sublime. Excellent angle and framing. [I see you have a new camera now] Good to have you back.
Animesh

Luko (13902) 2006-05-18 19:01

Hohohooo... the Pup kayaking (or dog paddling) her way in the "happy isles of Oceania". Will you Theroux us something out of your trip? not a bad destination for a business trip.

That's a very enticing opening shot, I have my share of (slightly) green color and a kind of decisive moment, you clicked just at the right moment, when she bows looking back, revealing the secret of the great Wazukahalakuloha headdress knot, a technological advantage over the other dancing teams.. I think you could sell this photo to the other competitors for some 24 money cowries (at least!).
Tell you what : Even the Exit sign is good feature, means we shouldn't be there, it's a recall for us.

well if you speak about missionaries you ain't seen nothing yet until you've been to Wallis & Futuna where going to church was MANDATORY.
Did you try Kava? I mean the real Kava the old ladies chew with their gums, then spit out of their teethless mouth... and that you must drink afterwards...

mrbialy (2568) 2006-05-19 4:16

Hello Lisan.
Maybe a'm not an expert but this is not your the best shot. Colours, quality, light... I don't know?, anyway I like composition and captured, and of course cought moment with face of girl in foreground, she looks like filled with sadness or something like that. She looks like not really comfortable. Rest of the composition looks very good as well, everything have a right order.
Finally some new photo in your gallery, good news. Almost 4 months you are don't upload any photos to your gallery.

Furachan (0) 2006-05-19 4:28

Got yourself a PROPER ca,era and you are doing some serious damage, Pup sensei! What a joy it is to see you online again and in such glorious fashion. I love the LIVE feel here, the glance from the cropped girl, the general framing along the vertical.
WELCOME BACK LISAN!!!
Furachan

rowanb (864) 2006-06-04 5:11

hi lisan
i'm glad i had another look at your gallery, some great shots.. i like this backstage scene, very nice composition, and an almost vulnerable look from the girl.

i was fortunate enough to experience a similar thing when i went to new caledonia, a dancing troupe from vanuatu performed and we even got to get up and have a hip-shake ourselves! it was great fun .. if a little embarrassing =)

Mingfang (1415) 2006-08-12 5:58

Hi lisan, glad to see your new shot. i did think that is from flydragon fist.:)
i wish i were between Fiji and Tahiti, in the mythical South Seas and shoot photos like that.:)
nice capture and compositon. i hope to see more of you.