This photographic project involved documenting the process that Beijing Opera Azalia Liu underwent in preparation for a performance. Photographing Azalia's process began backstage on each occasion with Azalia preparing for a performance. The artistry and skill of this preparation process takes about four hours. Each stage of the process is meticulously undertaken with care and ritual: from putting on her facial makeup to preparing and attaching the hair pieces, to applying the accessories and head piece, and finally the costume.

My approach during each session was to interfere as little as possible with the natural flow of events. There was minimal conversation between Azalia and me; neither was there instruction given for posing or stopping the procedure. The working space was often small and movement of my equipment had to be done with care.

Two photographic formats were used during the process, 35mm digital and a toy camera. Time and spontaneity from start to finish is clearly seen within an uncontrolled environment. While one format gave me instant results the other gave me unpredictable results.