Stunning images of the human form in motion

American photographer Lois Greenfield is renowned for her unique images of humans in mid-movement. Here, she explains some of her latest masterpieces

Maureen Fleming

“Maureen is a remarkable performer whose moves are so slow and controlled – often while bending herself into incredible positions – that they are imperceptible to the viewer until we realise that her form has entirely changed,” says Greenfield. “The fabrics become moving extensions of her body.”

Andrew Pacho

"Creating this image for the JVC Jazz Festival I wanted to have a dancer fly in the air like an angel to make the music. This photo was taken during the casting session. An assistant stabilized the bass, letting go when the dancer's hands were on the fret. Pacho came dressed for the part, and after a few Polaroids I put in a roll of film and captured this poetic image."

Paul Zivkovich and Craig Bary

“I have been fascinated with photographing mirrors since my early days as a photojournalist. The camera offers the viewer a single perspective, but a mirror in the photograph gathers off-screen space, nesting simultaneous yet different viewpoints within the picture’s frame. Like all my photos, this is a single in-camera frame, with no digital manipulation of any kind."

Sara Joel and Anna Venizelos

“Sara and Anna are both acrobats, aerialists and contortionists. In this improvisation, rather than flying free, their figures are constrained yet pulsating, like sculptures with a heartbeat.”

Kira Petersen

“Many of my photos show dancers defying gravity as they float in space. In this photo I wanted Kira to portray that sense of flight while attached to a wall. This image frames the contradiction of someone moving still. In my photographs, where time is stopped, a split second becomes an eternity, and an ephemeral moment is solid as sculpture.”

Sophie Kuller

“I am on a quest to find a split second in which the dancer’s movement and gesture become part of an enigmatic scenario. In this gossamer yet monolithic image, time has been stilled, and yet seems to be passing right before your eyes. The point is not to have the viewer figure out what is going on in the photo, but just to present the mystery of that instant.”

Ha-Chi Yu

“I have been working with Ha-Chi Yu since she was a 12-year-old ballet student. Now we create our own scenarios for the camera, using props and wardrobe I pick up here and there. In this photo, Ha-Chi is cavorting with an orange hammock that I bought in Belize. The miraculous shots don’t necessarily come from action, but by creating the space for these moments to exist.”