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Phil Douglis | all galleries >> Galleries >> Gallery Forty-Three: When doors, arches and gates express ideas > Hand of Fatima, Sousse, Tunisia, 2008
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08-NOV-2008

Hand of Fatima, Sousse, Tunisia, 2008

Fatima was the compassionate daughter of the Prophet Mohammed, a maker of miracles. The hand of Fatima is used throughout Tunisia, as well as other North African countries, as a form of superstitious protection, particularly in the form of doorknockers. I saw dozens of them, but this one was memorable because it was as blue as the door behind it. Superstition is rooted in mystery, and so is this image. I loved the play of light and shadow: the hand of the good Fatima is illuminated by the warmth of the sun, while the door itself is left mostly dark, implying the doubts and dangers that go hand in hand (no pun intended) with superstition.

Leica V-Lux 1
1/640s f/8.0 at 67.4mm iso100 full exif

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Phil Douglis05-Jan-2009 18:52
I shot many of these door knockers in Tunisia, but this was the one that seemed the most expressive, because of its blue on blue context and the shadow play.
monique jansen05-Jan-2009 13:30
love the color in itself and the play with light and shadow
Phil Douglis30-Nov-2008 23:31
Thanks for noting the shape of the shadow of the hand, Tim. It is as passive and docile as the hand itself.
Tim May30-Nov-2008 20:33
The shadow of the hand looks like an animal - it seems horselike, which to me is friendly - but it also could be the muzzle of a monster.
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