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The Home Forum>Essays:"Point Of View"
from the December 27, 2006 edition

Little ballerinas

By Melanie Stetson Freeman | Staff photographer
My favorite assignments involve people doing things. Then I can show up and try to capture what is happening as unobtrusively as possible. I love moving through an event searching for moments or gestures, interactions and activity that will tell the story.

Recently, on a trip to South Africa, I had an assignment to photograph a free ballet academy for poor children. The class was held in a large community center. High windows cast unpleasant hot spots (too much light) across the floor - but soon the little ones appeared in their pink leotards and ballet shoes, and I knew I was in for a treat. They started stretching as class began, and wonderful moments happened all around me. Suddenly, as I turned to my left, the two little girls pictured above, stretching in this unusual and adorable way, filled my viewfinder. I clicked and caught them forever.

This is one of my favorite photos from a visually rich journey through Africa.

(Photograph)
MELANIE STETSON FREEMAN - STAFF
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