British photographer puts performers in the picture

During his 40-year career, British photographer Clive Barda has snapped some of the world's finest performers plying the craft on stage. His colossal collection of over a million photographs reflects his deep knowledge and passion for music. They not only do justice to every subject he depicts, but also capture intimate moments away from performances.

As part of the UK Now Festival and the Festival of British Arts and Creative Industries in China, the best of Barda's photographs are being displayed at the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA), and will also go on show at other opera venues in Guangzhou, Hangzhou and Macao until December. Presented by the British Council, "Exposure! Clive Barda Retrospective Photographic Exhibition 2012" features 100 prints handpicked by the London-based photographer.

The exhibition, which opened at the NCPA last Friday and runs until next April 19, covers his celebrated works from operas, musicals, as well as theater and dance productions from 1968 to 2011.

Sharing an intimate connection with artists, he is not only able to capture the most enchanting moments of performers onstage, but also provide a unique glimpse of artists as they appear behind the stage curtain. His 1992 photo of English conductor Sir Simon Rattle shows the maestro in a hectic outburst at the helm of the orchestra pit, while American cellist Yo-Yo Ma is captured in deep thought as he wearily slumps over his cello backstage. "For me, one of the most wonderful things about photography is the ability to freeze a moment of reality for posterity," Barda explained.

Born in 1945, Barda forged his connection between music and photography in his early 20s. Beginning with classic early black and white images of Jacqueline Du Pré and portraits of iconic figures in music and the performing arts, his exhibition also incorporates modern, major productions and performers.

Photographing stage productions requires refined mastery of working in low light conditions. However, Barda makes good use of his technical skills and decades of experience to bring out musicians' artistic sensibility and the excitement that comes from performing with world-class ensembles.

"The fact that I often spent hours with artists and was perceived as a member of the recording team bolstered my sense of affinity with musicians and their work," Barda revealed.

When: Until April 19

Where: NCPA, 2 Chang'an Avenue, Xicheng district

Admission: 40 yuan

Contact: 6655-0000