Hippy Hippy Sheikh

David McMahon

Hippy Hippy Sheikh

The intricate details on this belly dancer’s costume caught my eye about eighteen months ago, so I asked permission to shoot a close-up, to capture the scores of golden beads and shimmering discs.

She grinned and sportingly told me to go ahead – but I had no inkling of what she had in mind! As I hit the trigger, she began to perform, shaking brilliantly even though there was no music playing.

I was about to ask her to stop, but I then realised she had given me the most natural shot of any belly dancer. So because I didn’t change the speed, not everything is in crisp focus – but it’s a completely authentic depiction of swift, rhythmic movement.

I do not crop, enhance or post-edit my images in any way. Shot with a Pentax K100D, using a Sigma 18-125mm lens. F8, 1/180sec, ISO 200, focal length 125mm.

Featured in IN THE PINK, October 2009.

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Hippy Hippy Sheikh belongs to the following groups:

Complex Simplicity of Art, ! 100% !, "Real" Life Photography (2 per day), **JUST FUN **, *A Beautiful Blur, 60's GLORY, A Fascinating Purple (75% Purple), Abstract Realism, All Abstract Art, All Around the Styles, All the Colors of the Rainbow, All the Fun of the Fair, All Things Poetic, Artistic, Philosophical, Alright, what is it?, Anything We Wear (Including Bling!), aqua, lime or indigo, Art in Math, Art of the Mundane (read the rules!), Australia! You're Standing In it...., Australian Contemporary Photography, Bits and Pieces , Caption Fun, contrasting perceptions HELP WANTED NEED CO HOST TO RUN CHALLENGES APPLY IN THE FORUMS. THANKS, Creative Spirits of Queensland , Friends of Bangor and North Down Camera Club, Northern Ireland, Friends of RedBubble, Globes, Spheres and Curves - 2 per day, I ♥ Patterns, If it doesn't belong, Images & Ideas, ImageWriting (2/24), Melbourne & Victoria, Metallic Junktion, Mood & Ambience - Strictly Photos, Mysteries of the Common(2 per day), Out of the Past, PENTAX , Photographers of Redbubble-Looking for someone to take over group...apply within, Purple Passion Gallery. 2 per day , Shapes & Patterns - Limit of 2 images per day, Speaking Photos (Storytelling) - 2 per day -, Street Photography and Photojournalism, Technical Photography, That's Entertainment! (Fun & Recreation Photos), The Addicted Photographer►2 Per Day◄, The Art of Intrigue 2/24, The true beauty, The World, This Is Relevant (2 per day), Tuesday Afternoon, Unconventional Artistry - 3 per day, Vibrant and Vivid Color and Victorian Viewfinders Available for sale as

Greeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints and Framed Prints
Hippy Hippy Sheikh by David McMahon
Hippy Hippy Sheikh by David McMahon
  • Shulie1

    Shulie1

    Great shot – love the costume

  • David McMahon replied

    Thanks, Shulie. The colours were amazing.

  • frogster

    frogster

    Now thats up close and personal, lol

  • David McMahon replied

    Thanks, Frogster – I was using the lens fully extended, to 125mm! The belly dancer was such a great sport that I didn’t have the heart to ask her to stop.

  • bygeorge

    bygeorge

    Nice shot David – Very nice – well done :-)

  • David McMahon replied

    Thanks very much, ByGeorge. Initially I thought I’d wait for her to stop before getting some more shots, and then I realised the MOVEMENT was the real challenge.

  • Betty Mackey

    Betty Mackey

    Great shot, great story!!

  • David McMahon replied

    Thanks very much, Betty. Glad you enjoyed the story behind the image as well.

  • JUSTART

    JUSTART

    lovely shot

  • David McMahon replied

    Thank you, JustArt. I’d love the chance to shoot this challenge once again. But I think I’d up the speed this time!

  • sfmilner

    sfmilner

    Greetings David; Excellent capture of texture and form.
    steve

  • David McMahon replied

    Thank you, Steve. The colours were beautiful – and she was a great sport to let me shoot.

  • Taschja Hattingh

    Taschja Hattingh

  • David McMahon replied

    Thanks so much, Taschja, for letting me know. And thank you to you and your co-hosts for the honour.

  • Pamela Phelps

    Pamela Phelps

    Wonderful shot! Congratulations on your wonderful feature!

  • David McMahon replied

    Thank you very much, Pamela. I’m so glad I shot this, even though the movement was so rapid!

  • Nira Dabush

    Nira Dabush

    Just STUNNING, David..

  • David McMahon replied

    Thank you very much, Nira. The dancer was so very sporting to allow me to take this shot. The credit, honestly, goes to her.

  • Rozmrr

    Rozmrr

    I have a box full of these belts. I used to sell them… I also have costumes and accessories.

    This brought back memories for me.

  • David McMahon replied 10 days ago

    Glad it brought back memories … you must have some amazing colours – and some great tales to tell. Sorry it’s taken me so long to spot this comment and reply.

  • Blanchi

    Blanchi 10 days ago

    Beautiful…;-)

  • David McMahon replied 10 days ago

    Thanks very much, Blanchi. She was very sporting to let me shoot this image sequence.

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