How to Photograph Dancers in Motion: 5 de Mayo at Grandscape

dancer in motion - ballet folklorico

Capturing dancers in motion is both a challenge and a joy, especially when it’s the mesmerizing Ballet Folklorico Tapatio performing at Grandscape during 5 de Mayo. Their swirling, kaleidoscopic dresses, vivid against the sunset sky, reveal the festive spirit of this traditional celebration. With practical tips on mastering your camera settings, framing intentional compositions, and storytelling through candid portraits, this guide will help you freeze every vibrant twirl and spin of dancers in action. Drawing from my own experience behind the lens, I’ll share specific techniques used to photograph the dancers at this unforgettable event, ensuring you have the confidence to capture your own stunning shots.

Mastering Your Camera Settings

Tapatio Dancer Ballet Folklorico

Having photographed the Topo Chico Hard Seltzer Stage & Lawn at Grandscape in The Colony, TX before, I knew the west-facing light would illuminate the performers’ faces directly, providing an opportunity to creatively highlight movement while maintaining visual clarity.

My goal was to capture motion without freezing it entirely, leaving a dynamic blur that resembles the whirring of helicopter blades—a technique essential for photographing dancers in motion. To achieve this effect with Ballet Folklorico Tapatio’s fast spins and twirls, I relied on my trusted 70-200mm f/2.8 lens. Its fast aperture blurred the background beautifully and accentuated the dancers’ vibrant dresses despite the fading light of the cloudy evening.

Here are the settings I used to bring their energy to life:

Aperture: f/4 for a shallow depth of field, isolating the dancers from the background.
ISO: Auto (100-800 range) to keep the ISO low while adjusting to the changing light.
Shutter Speed: 1/400s to freeze the majority of their swift motions while leaving a slight, artistic blur.

With the ISO set to auto, I ensured that it never went above 400 even as the sun dipped, allowing me to capture clear and detailed images of the Ballet Folklorico dancers. By carefully balancing these settings, I was able to convey their rapid spinning without losing the sense of motion that makes these performances so magical.

Setting the Stage: Capturing the Mariachis

After mastering the camera settings, understanding the environment is crucial for effective motion photography. The mariachis, dressed in pearl-white suits adorned with gold, performed under the hot sun, which, when emerging from behind the clouds, cast an intense orange glow over the already challenging yellow backdrop. This combination made the scene visually overwhelming and unappealing, so I shifted my angle to make the best use of the clear blue sky as an alternative background.

I also framed the harp player against a natural stone background rather than the main stage to provide visual contrast, allowing his instrument and outfit to stand out. These adjustments ensured the mariachis remained the focal point and their pearl-white costumes truly shone amidst the competing elements of light and color.

Transitioning to Movement: Ballet Folklorico in Action

Ballet Floklorico dancer in motion with iconic blue dress

As the focus shifted from the mariachis to the Ballet Folklorico dancers, the approach evolved to embrace the lively dynamics of their varied performances. Each dance showcased unique elements that demanded distinct photographic techniques.

One performer twirled machetes with astonishing precision, creating fascinating visual patterns against the setting sun. His fluid movements called for a blend of fast shutter speed to capture the gleaming blades and subtle motion blur to highlight his skilled spins. Meanwhile, a young boy energetically executed a drop roll, his enthusiasm captured through a lower angle to emphasize his youthful spirit.

However, it was the dresses that truly stole the show. The dancers placed glass bottles filled with water atop their heads and began to twirl gracefully, creating mesmerizing curves with their vibrant, spinning dresses. These patterns, shaped by the colorful fabric cascading in waves, offered endless opportunities for capturing the beauty of motion. By slowing down the shutter speed just enough, I preserved the elegant blurs of their skirts while keeping the dancers’ faces and expressions in sharp focus. This technique provided a sense of movement and life, drawing viewers into the energy of the dance.

The photos offer a glimpse of the diverse and captivating choreography, each frame celebrating the twirling dresses’ rich colors and the performers’ precise control over every step and twirl. Adjusting the camera settings to highlight these intricate patterns ensured each shot captured the fluid elegance of the dancers in action.

Your Turn

Now it’s your chance to capture the lively beauty of event photography, particularly for dancers or musicians! If you need help, want to chat, or share info, reach out directly. Let’s connect on Instagram @keekehrojas, where I showcase my latest work and offer behind-the-scenes insights. I’m excited to see how you approach your next event and the incredible stories your photos will reveal!