In the 2 1/2 years before the arrival of the pandemic, I was shooting live performance events at the House of Mood, Pawtucket, Rhode Island, cabaret, pole dancing, and burlesque.

Unfortunately, the most lovely proprietor, Jennifer Kennedy, or as the audience knew her, Ms. Maple Devine, has decided to close the operation; sadly, all good things must end.

The House of Mood was the most challenging venue to photograph; most of the show was a floor performance where the performers could engage with the audience; it was dimly lit for ambiance, and the spotlights were small, which meant that the performers would be moving in and out of light.

Many of the images in this gallery were shot at ISO6400; this gives the photos a gritty presentation that fits the subject matter well.

I used a Canon EOS 1DX paired with a combination of either an EF L 70mm to 200mm f/2.8, EF L 135mm f/2.0, or the excellent EF L 85mm f/1.2.
In many cases, f/2.8 was just too slow (it did not let in enough light), which resulted in the majority of the images being photographed with the EF 85mm f/1.2. There are always trade-offs, and while the 85mm was fast, it was slow to focus, especially in the dimly lit conditions but to be fair, all of my lenses struggled to focus. During wedding receptions, I use a focusing light to permit my lenses to focus, but during a live performance, you have to work with what you’ve got.

I also used lower shutter speeds to let in a little more light, but that also was a trade-off as I would miss fast action; ugh!

After I photographed my first show – The Spy Who Loved Me – on the 14th of April 2018, Jennifer asked me if I could shoot more shows. The subject matter was visually awesome, but the fact was that lighting was a struggle even with the very best equipment. I had such a difficult time with consistency, but I knew that I had to, I had to master the lighting.
And so, from that show to the start of the pandemic, I would shoot a show every two to three months with the simple goal of trying to make myself a better photographer; if I could shoot performance art here, I could anywhere!

I hope you enjoy this selection of images.

Black and White Photography: Capturing the Drama of Cabaret, Burlesque, and Pole Dancing

Black and white photography has a long history of being used to capture the drama of cabaret, burlesque, and pole dancing. The stark contrast between light and dark can be used to create a sense of mystery and intrigue, while the shadows can be used to highlight the dancer’s curves and movements.

Why black and white?

There are a few reasons why black and white photography is often used to capture the drama of cabaret, burlesque, and pole dancing. First, black and white photography can help to create a sense of nostalgia and glamour. The classic black and white look is often associated with the golden age of cabaret and burlesque, and it can help to evoke a sense of excitement and intrigue.

Second, black and white photography can help to focus attention on the dancer’s body. The lack of color can help to simplify the image and draw the viewer’s eye to the dancer’s curves and movements. This can be especially effective when the dancer is wearing revealing clothing or performing complex acrobatics.

Finally, black and white photography can help to create a sense of atmosphere. The shadows and contrasts can be used to create a sense of mystery and intrigue, which can add to the overall drama of the performance.

Some famous black and white photographers of cabaret, burlesque, and pole dancing

  • Conclusion

    Black and white photography is a powerful tool that can be used to capture the drama of cabaret, burlesque, and pole dancing. The stark contrast between light and dark can be used to create a sense of mystery and intrigue, while the shadows can be used to highlight the dancer’s curves and movements. If you are interested in capturing the drama of these performances, black and white photography is a great option.