About the Image(s)

Something focused on traditions and events. Morris Dancing or Morris Men is traditional folk dancing originating from the 15th century. Lots of variations but all tend to be a rhythmic team of men (and women now), dancing to a tune - accordion, violin, drum sort of instruments. There are all sorts of variations - with sticks, with handkerchiefs, with or with out bells on their legs. Most wear boots or clogs (wooden shoes).

This at Masham Sheep Fair with the Ripon City Morris Dancers in September 2024. The sheep fair is a farming event at the end of the season when farmers compete for sheep awards - best in a particular class. They dance at various events and have a Lancashire style. Their hats are decorated for each event.

The challenge photographing them is that they dance in a fairly small space surrounded by people, so to get them in a clear shot can be tricky. They move quite quickly so getting any sense of separation and not having noise from the background can take some patience. If you get in the way of others wanting to watch you will be told to sit down!

Hand held, Nikon Z8 with 24-70 f2.8. 43mm 1/640th, f2.8, ISO 64. It was a bright sunny day so no issue with light. Shooting with an open aperture to get a shallow depth of field and try and minimise the background.