Richard Calmes, a man with a Mission Photo Gallery by Cristine Varney at pbase.com

Richard Calmes, a man with a Mission

Richard has so much admiration, appreciation and love for all those who labor so long and hard to hone their craft. He captures the exquisite beauty of their achievements, really a mere split second, that one could miss without Richard's considerable skills and artistic sensibilities. He does all of this at no cost to the Dancers, the Companies nor any institution. It is a labor of love. I realized, even more clearly, his invaluable contribution, as I watched him shoot. While the dancers were a thrill to watch, it is the moment stopped in time that enables me to see just how far above mere mortals they are. On October 13, 2007, I had the delight of witnessing the creator of so many unsurpassed homages to dance and the dancer. I live in Los Angeles, and was very excited when Richard invited me to tag along on one of his Santa Monica shoots. For the amazing photos of these dancers, please see Richard Calmes' "Beautiful Dancers of Los Angeles".... https://pbase.com/rcalmes/la_dancers My aim is to humbly document some of what occurs before and after the magic..smile. Please consider me your backstage pass, so to speak.

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Andrew 's Bridge
Kelly and Lucy prepare
Pedestrian or Bike

the decision..
see how lovely you are, Lucy..
all the worlds a stage...

Richard and Lucy VanCleef
Uggs and Satin Slippers...
Richard plans Kellys shot

Andrew now assists Kelly Ann...
Humm..(or M is for Mickey)
satin and sand

extremely focused
odd sand shoes
One Lord A'Leaping...

man with a plan
Andrew stretches...
lucy and richard talk shop

limbering up
single focus..
Andrew waits in the wings

we done good
one last shot and now to sea
come rejoice

off come the shoes and socks
back stage view
waiting for the muse

Racing Daylight
gotta get your feet wet
just about showtime..

um.. maybe a different position, Andrew
Lucy and Kelly stay limber
waiting for the magic

Kelly plays water sprite
Lucy skyward
once more, maestro?

lucy to the sky
Kelly Ann Sloan and Andrew Brader..
upsey daisy

upsey down (?)
in dreams...
making music, sweet music...

almost a wrap
closing scenes...
a closer look...

Kelly Ann Sloan and Andrew Brader..
curtain call..
A flash of kelly..

lost to the sea..
Heavenly Creatures
just once more.

Lucy up next..
Lucy on my shoulder...
just a few more shots..

fa fa fa fa REEZ ing..
lucy tripped the light fantastic..
siren's song

irresistible
return..
Trust..

decisions..
first this way ?
Alley Ooop..

Impression of Beauty..
serious fun
I worry about his gear..

Upsy daisy...
upsey daisy...2
the moment approaches...

a toss of the hair..
pleased with the results..
All Smiles..

smiles to light up the beach..
"The Beach is now closed. Cease all Water Activity"

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PauloCGama 26-Mar-2009 12:18
Hello my friend, So nice to see him in action.
I am a big fan of Richard's work and and you've done a wonderful behind the scene gallery!!
:)
Cheers and a big and sincere hug from your friend.
VV

anuschka 04-Jul-2008 08:42
Great to see Richard at work which results in so much beauty and joy for all of us! Big vote and thanks.

Suzanne Chouinard 17-Nov-2007 04:20
This is a beautiful tribute to Richard Calmes whose ballet photos I enjoy dearly. Thank for sharing these moment with us.

Tracy Howell 31-Oct-2007 00:05
This is great always looking at Richards fabulous work. So nice to have been able to capture a fellow p baser in action. Great job.

Richard Calmes 23-Oct-2007 22:27
I am humbled by these comments! All I do is try to take pictures in a way that shows the skills and artistry that dancers have spent most of their lives acquiring.

Martha Albuquerque 21-Oct-2007 13:34
Fantastic work, Cristine!!! Thanks for sharing it!! Richard is a superb photographer and you gave us the oportunity to see him in action!! Your shots are great! You should do that some more times!

Big Vote*
Martha

Bonnie Underwood 21-Oct-2007 01:59
What an honor to follow a master around.
It's a joy to see through your eyes, the
man behind the lens. Enjoyed this gallery
bunches.

Robyco 20-Oct-2007 15:28
It is great to see how he works and taking those great pictures.....
Well documentated by you !! (V)

CIS 19-Oct-2007 20:18
What a thrill to see the Master in action! It's alwasy an honour to view his masterpieces.
Thank 'you' for doing this, I truly enjoyed your work as well...beautifully done!

Cristine Varney 19-Oct-2007 19:54
There must be so many members. Will you show me the secret handshake??

Paradoxal Studio Classic 19-Oct-2007 19:48
At last ! I'm so happy to see The Boss in action !
I'm from the "Richard Calmes Fan Club" too you know !
:oD

Nestor Derkach 18-Oct-2007 20:49
Excellent gallery and very informative,yes Richard Calmes is a master at his craft.
The dancers are very fortunate to have his capture there great poses and jumps.
Vote

Guest 17-Oct-2007 13:07
Cool! It is wonderful to see Richard in action. And some great shots here! V

Cedric Sims 16-Oct-2007 18:50
Hi I rember you from photosig. Excellent gallery!

Richard Calmes 16-Oct-2007 02:05
This is truly a special treat for me to see the process through your eyes! Thank you so much for documenting this session! :)

Lisa W. 16-Oct-2007 01:34
WOW - this is so cool. I have been looking at all of Richards updates on Beautiful Dancers of LA and this is like having a backstage pass. Thank you

Tom Beech 16-Oct-2007 00:22
Thank you, great to see behind the scenes and Richard at work 8-)

Lee G 15-Oct-2007 23:01
I admire Richard Calmes photography skills and appreciate the chance to see him at work. Well done tribute! Thank you.

Henry Taitano 15-Oct-2007 21:19
Yes, an absolute talented photographer.
I'll have to see his finished product.

Arjayphotography 15-Oct-2007 20:36
Thank you for posting this gallery. I have nothing but the greatest respect for Richard Calmes, the passion he has for his art and of course his technical wizardry. It's great to see behind the scenes and witness a little bit of how he works. Good for you ......it must have been a very interesting experience.

Guest 15-Oct-2007 14:34
Richard does such beautiful work
I am glad someone documented his efforts.
Would enjoy seeing more if you post any

Type your message and click Add Comment

It is best to login or register first but you may post as a guest.
Enter an optional name and contact email address. Name

Name Email

help private comment

click on thumbnails for full image

Andrew 's Bridge	Kelly and Lucy prepare	Pedestrian or Bike
the decision..	see how lovely you are, Lucy..	all the worlds a stage...
Richard and Lucy VanCleef	Uggs and Satin Slippers...	Richard plans Kellys shot
Andrew now assists Kelly Ann...	Humm..(or M is for Mickey)	satin and sand
extremely focused	odd sand shoes	One Lord A'Leaping...
man with a plan	Andrew stretches...	lucy and richard talk shop
limbering up	single focus..	Andrew waits in the wings
we done good	one last shot and now to sea	come rejoice
off come the shoes and socks	back stage view	waiting for the muse
Racing Daylight	gotta get your feet wet	just about showtime..
um.. maybe a different position, Andrew	Lucy and Kelly stay limber	waiting for the magic
Kelly plays water sprite	Lucy skyward	once more, maestro?
lucy to the sky	Kelly Ann Sloan and Andrew Brader..	upsey daisy
upsey down (?)	in dreams...	making music, sweet music...
almost a wrap	closing scenes...	a closer look...
Kelly Ann Sloan and Andrew Brader..	curtain call..	A flash of kelly..
lost to the sea..	Heavenly Creatures	just once more.
Lucy up next..	Lucy on my shoulder...	just a few more shots..
fa fa fa fa REEZ ing..	lucy tripped the light fantastic..	siren's song
irresistible	return..	Trust..
decisions..	first this way ?	Alley Ooop..
Impression of Beauty..	serious fun	I worry about his gear..
Upsy daisy...	upsey daisy...2	the moment approaches...
a toss of the hair..	pleased with the results..	All Smiles..
smiles to light up the beach..	"The Beach is now closed. Cease all Water Activity"

Type your message and click Add Comment

It is best to login or register first but you may post as a guest. Enter an optional name and contact email address. Name
Name Email
help	private comment

PauloCGama		26-Mar-2009 12:18
Hello my friend, So nice to see him in action. I am a big fan of Richard's work and and you've done a wonderful behind the scene gallery!! :) Cheers and a big and sincere hug from your friend. VV

anuschka		04-Jul-2008 08:42
Great to see Richard at work which results in so much beauty and joy for all of us! Big vote and thanks.

Suzanne Chouinard		17-Nov-2007 04:20
This is a beautiful tribute to Richard Calmes whose ballet photos I enjoy dearly. Thank for sharing these moment with us.

Tracy Howell		31-Oct-2007 00:05
This is great always looking at Richards fabulous work. So nice to have been able to capture a fellow p baser in action. Great job.

Richard Calmes		23-Oct-2007 22:27
I am humbled by these comments! All I do is try to take pictures in a way that shows the skills and artistry that dancers have spent most of their lives acquiring.

Martha Albuquerque		21-Oct-2007 13:34
Fantastic work, Cristine!!! Thanks for sharing it!! Richard is a superb photographer and you gave us the oportunity to see him in action!! Your shots are great! You should do that some more times! Big Vote* Martha

Bonnie Underwood		21-Oct-2007 01:59
What an honor to follow a master around. It's a joy to see through your eyes, the man behind the lens. Enjoyed this gallery bunches.

Robyco		20-Oct-2007 15:28
It is great to see how he works and taking those great pictures..... Well documentated by you !! (V)

CIS		19-Oct-2007 20:18
What a thrill to see the Master in action! It's alwasy an honour to view his masterpieces. Thank 'you' for doing this, I truly enjoyed your work as well...beautifully done!

Cristine Varney		19-Oct-2007 19:54
There must be so many members. Will you show me the secret handshake??

Paradoxal Studio Classic		19-Oct-2007 19:48
At last ! I'm so happy to see The Boss in action ! I'm from the "Richard Calmes Fan Club" too you know ! :oD

Nestor Derkach		18-Oct-2007 20:49
Excellent gallery and very informative,yes Richard Calmes is a master at his craft. The dancers are very fortunate to have his capture there great poses and jumps. Vote

Guest		17-Oct-2007 13:07
Cool! It is wonderful to see Richard in action. And some great shots here! V

Cedric Sims		16-Oct-2007 18:50
Hi I rember you from photosig. Excellent gallery!

Richard Calmes		16-Oct-2007 02:05
This is truly a special treat for me to see the process through your eyes! Thank you so much for documenting this session! :)

Lisa W.		16-Oct-2007 01:34
WOW - this is so cool. I have been looking at all of Richards updates on Beautiful Dancers of LA and this is like having a backstage pass. Thank you

Tom Beech		16-Oct-2007 00:22
Thank you, great to see behind the scenes and Richard at work 8-)

Lee G		15-Oct-2007 23:01
I admire Richard Calmes photography skills and appreciate the chance to see him at work. Well done tribute! Thank you.

Henry Taitano		15-Oct-2007 21:19
Yes, an absolute talented photographer. I'll have to see his finished product.

Arjayphotography		15-Oct-2007 20:36
Thank you for posting this gallery. I have nothing but the greatest respect for Richard Calmes, the passion he has for his art and of course his technical wizardry. It's great to see behind the scenes and witness a little bit of how he works. Good for you ......it must have been a very interesting experience.

Guest		15-Oct-2007 14:34
Richard does such beautiful work I am glad someone documented his efforts. Would enjoy seeing more if you post any