The Iowa Photo: Bathed in Blue in Cedar Rapids

Jim Slosiarek, visuals editor at The Gazette, shares the story behind the photo of a performer at Storytellers of Cedar Rapids

Jim Slosiarek

Sep. 28, 2025 5:30 am

I was being a fly on the wall in the “green room” the night of the Storytellers of Cedar Rapids show. I was hoping to get some photos of storytellers interacting with each other to round out my photo coverage of the evening.

I noticed Anji Kat performing on the stage, bathed in blue from the theater lighting. I knew that the difference in exposure between her and the walls would create some negative space. That emptiness would help draw attention to Kat while she played.

Interestingly, the glow from the string of lights was absent in several frames in the series I took. My shutter capturing a moment between pulses of the LEDs.

I thought about going with one of the frames where it was all black but opted for the frame I did because the string of lights adds another visual element to the photo.

Jim Slosiarek is the visuals editor for The Gazette

Comments: (319) 329-3850; jim.slosiarek@thegazette.com

Anji Kat performs between speakers at the Storytellers of Cedar Rapids show at Groundswell Cafe in southwest Cedar Rapids on Sept. 3. The event was the first of four shows of the second season where community members take to the stage to share life stories inspired by themes of learning, nourishment, shelter and community. The evening’s theme was “What I Thought I Knew.” Events are held every two to four months each season. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

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