Jacques Villégier - Arabesque Opéra 1976

Image from a reportage at the Bordeaux Opera House in 1976.

Jacques Villégier:
"It was the dance photo that set me on the path to photography. For about ten years I traveled from studios to theatres. Some of these images were acquired by the National Library. I was a member for 10 years of the Explorer agency and published in numerous national and international journals."

This print was made on traditional silver gelatin paper but then processed in new baths to give it this sepia tone. This technique that I used to practice is called "toning" (virage). It also increases the richness of the tones. At the time I worked with a Kodak film called "Recording" which could be used at very high sensitivities. I especially liked its grain.