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Phil Douglis | all galleries >> Galleries >> Gallery Fifteen: Making travel portraits that define personality and character. > Roxalee Barbee, caretaker, Remote, Oregon, 2006
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12-JUN-2006

Roxalee Barbee, caretaker, Remote, Oregon, 2006

The core of the village of Remote is the Jennings Estate. Some of its buildings have not been used for many years. Its gracious but very shy caretaker, Roxalee Barbee, opened its buildings to us and encouraged us to photograph them at will. The hardest subject to photograph in Remote was its caretaker. After considerable pleading, Ms. Barbee finally agreed to sit for a portrait in front of the estate's ancient barn. I rarely, if ever, have made an eyes-closed portrait. Yet, it works here. Her expression and body language speak volumes.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ30
1/125s f/5.6 at 15.6mm iso100 full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto
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Phil Douglis14-Nov-2012 18:43
Thank you, guest, for leaving this message. It is always a joy to hear from people who are close to my subjects and know them so much better than I ever could. I am honored that my portrait of Roxy resonates with you.
Phil Douglis24-Jul-2006 16:35
Good eye, Shirley. I never noticed the key in her hand before, but now that you point it out, it becomes an essential symbol for me.
Shirley Wang24-Jul-2006 04:53
The key in her hand is the key to show her role this place.
Phil Douglis23-Jul-2006 19:48
Thanks, Christine, for this comment. There is a time to go against the "rules" of portraiture, and this is certainly one of them. You said it all.
Guest 18-Jun-2006 03:09
I agree with the closed-eyes portrait here, Phil. It is a way to show her hesitancy to be photographed. Interesting background.
Christine
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