Bodies In Motion: Stroboscopic Capture with George Simian- Los Angeles

Ever wondered how those mesmerizing photos showing a dancer’s or athlete’s complete movement across a single frame are created? Here’s your chance to master this captivating technique! In this workshop, you’ll photograph professional dancers using stroboscopic lighting—a dramatic multiple-exposure method that’s been fascinating photographers since the early days of the medium.

Here’s how it works: Our professional strobe lights will fire 8 times during a single 2-second exposure, capturing overlapping images of your subject as they move through space. The result? Extraordinary images that reveal the poetry of motion in one breathtaking frame. You’ll learn to control the composition through camera movement and timing, “spreading” each phase of the dancer’s movement across your frame.

Is it difficult? We won’t sugarcoat it—stroboscopic photography is challenging! But that’s exactly why we’ve designed comprehensive support to ensure your success. We’ll start with a pre-shoot Zoom training session on Thursday, January 29, at 7 PM, where we’ll thoroughly explain the lighting setup, demonstrate camera movement techniques, and explore the fascinating history of stroboscopic photography from Eadweard Muybridge to Harold Edgerton and Gjon Mili. Then, during the shoot itself, we’ll train you on-site before you begin, and our team will be there throughout the session to help.

Can you really create these images yourself? Absolutely. While the outcome has an element of unpredictability (which is part of the magic!), you’ll develop the skills to consistently produce striking results. Our talented modern dancers will repeat their movements multiple times, giving you plenty of opportunities to refine your technique.

We’ll meet at the Diavolo dance studio on Sunday, February 1, from 5 pm to 10 pm.

We’ll provide all the professional lighting equipment—just bring your camera, a short telephoto lens or zoom, formatted memory cards, and fully charged batteries. A lightweight tripod or monopod isn’t necessary, but it will make your work easier.

You’ll shoot as a group, with everyone capturing simultaneously, but your individual camera movements will make each image uniquely yours. This is intensive, hands-on practice with short breaks, so by the end of the day, you’ll be proficient in this remarkable technique.

The day after the shoot, on Monday, February 2, at 7 PM, we’ll hold a second Zoom session to discuss editing and selecting your best work. You’ll have a week to submit your images, and then you’ll receive personalized feedback, see everyone’s work in our class gallery, and share your images with the dancers who made it all possible.

WORKSHOP SCHEDULE

Lecture on Zoom – Thursday, January 29th@ 7 pm

Hands-on-Shoot – Sunday, February 1st @ 5 pm – 10 pm

Review Session on Zoom – Monday, February 2nd @ 7 pm

LOCATION:

This hands-on photography workshop will occur at the Diavolo Dance Studio in Downtown Los Angeles, CA:

Diavolo dance studio

616 Moulton Avenue

Los Angeles, CA 90031

*plentiful free street parking

By registering for this workshop, you are agreeing to our Terms and Conditions. Click here to view our Terms and Conditions. You will be required to sign a waiver prior to the workshop.

Cancellations or refund requests must be made via email 30 days prior to the course.

Instructor Bio: Former East Coast advertising photographer turned LA dance photography virtuoso. In his 30+ year adventure, George has traveled globally, capturing everything from corporate annual reports to magazine features.

When not freezing dancers in mid-air with his signature lighting techniques (as featured in Digital Photo Pro Magazine: ), George champions photographers' rights on the national and LA boards of the American Photographic Artists and leads the LA Digital Imaging Group.

This photography guru has taught eager minds at Cornell, Boston College, UCLA Extension, and Samy's Camera, and guided photo enthusiasts through exotic workshops in Bali and Oaxaca.

See his work on IG and at his website: www.georgesimian.com

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