Welder's dance, Birmingham, England

© Philip Dunn

Human element A welder's workshop in the heart of industrial Birmingham, England - hardly the most promising place for a light-hearted photograph. This welder had the job of fabricating the metal sculpture of the dancing figures. The white wall provided a reasonably clear background for the shapes of the figures - but the picture needed something else. It needed the human element. I tried photographing the welder at work on the figures, but then persuaded him to join in the fun of a more humorous shot. I got him to imitate the pose of one of the figures. Now a welder in oily overalls, wearing his goggles and with his welding torch over his arm makes an incongruous figure when he tries to do a little ballet dance - and it is this incongruous aspect that gives the picture its charm. It was used across 8 columns in The Independent Newspaper. Go back to Smiles index page Go back to main home page YOU WILL LEARN MORE ABOUT PHOTOGRAPHING PEOPLE WHEN YOU JOIN A PHOTO ACTIVE WORKSHOP WITH PHILIP DUNN Click here