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Phil Douglis | all galleries >> Galleries >> Gallery Forty-Four: Photographing human response – gesture, body language, and expressions > Hands full of questions, Marrakesh, Morocco, 2006
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29-DEC-2006

Hands full of questions, Marrakesh, Morocco, 2006

After making this image in the souks of Marrakesh's medina, I had more questions in mind than answers. The woman’s hands to face gesture can mean different things. Is she trying to remember something she came to buy? Or is she stifling a sneeze? Perhaps a quick prayer is being offered? Her hands are stained red from decorative henna. The more questions a picture asks, the more thought provoking it can be. Ambiguity, rather than certainty, is an important principle in expressive travel photography. The more an image appeals to the imagination of a viewer, the richer and more rewarding the viewing experience becomes.

Leica V-Lux 1
1/500s f/6.3 at 53.5mm iso100 full exif

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Phil Douglis12-Jan-2007 18:22
Thanks, Zandra, for pointing out the context offered by the woman who has turned her back on the "praying" woman, and characterizing it as a metaphor for the world turning its back on this woman -- all of which leads you to seeing the image as the woman praying because she wants to become part of the world again. This is an image which most certainly asks questions and demands answers from the viewer.
Guest 12-Jan-2007 16:46
A silent prayr or a sneeze...indeed questiosn are asked. I do however opt for the first suggestion...a silent prayr or she is trying to remeber something...perhaps she was horrofied over teh price given to her by the merchant... Questiosn questions and even more questions...As you say, this would not have worked in B&W as her colored hands are the main focus of this capture. They are the once who speak out to the viewer and makes them wonder. No hands and ther would just be a face. No questions asked, no added human values...

If you think of this picture in terms of her saying a silent prayer, the women ion the background are given so much more meaning. The way they have turned their backs on her...is it the world that has turned it's back on her...and that is the reason as to why she is parying. To be part of this world again. To feel close to those surounding her. They are walking away from her, leaving her lonely and in dispare. Due to your framing we can not see what she sees...perhaps she sees nothing. When the life leaves you behind, perhaps their is nothing. Just a void and room for a prayer that things will turn around...
Phil Douglis11-Jan-2007 18:44
The colors are at the core of the image, Mo -- the gold and brown garments here are very Moroccan in color. And the red hands, of course, are the key to the image. In black and white, this image would not be able to say what it says, or ask what it asks, in color.
monique jansen11-Jan-2007 11:56
It certainly does ask questions, but I also like the colors in this photo
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