photo sharing and upload picture albums photo forums search pictures popular photos photography help login
Phil Douglis | all galleries >> Galleries >> Gallery Sixty Nine: How to make expressive photographs in “bad” light > Dormitory, Arizona State University, Phoenix, Arizona, 2009
previous | next
29-APR-2009

Dormitory, Arizona State University, Phoenix, Arizona, 2009

The atrium of a dorm on ASU’s new downtown Phoenix campus is covered with a network of slats. The overhead position of the sun at mid morning creates a pattern that gives the dining tables set up in the atrium a bird-cage like ambiance, and my 24mm wideangle lens, turned vertically, makes the most of that pattern. Most striking, however, is the color incongruity here. The single orange chair catches a shaft of full sun, and thus dominates the image with its vivid color. The huge atrium was empty, an architectural show piece without, at least for the moment, a function. The orange chair seems to be its only visitor.

Leica D-Lux 4
1/1000s f/4.0 at 5.1mm iso80 full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto
share
Phil Douglis01-May-2009 19:23
Thanks, Carol. You are right -- the high position of the sun creates the shadows, and illuminates the orange chair, in a way that makes this image express its mood and meaning. At another time of day, the degree of contrast, the vivid orange color, and the shadow pattern itself, would not be there.
Carol E Sandgren01-May-2009 03:52
A geometric feast! All those stripes and shapes splaying out from the distant point, as well as the brilliant red color of that chair creates such an intriguing image. I know it would not have been possible to get a shot like this to work with "regular" exposure. The dark shadows are thrown into even more contrast.
Type your message and click Add Comment
It is best to login or register first but you may post as a guest.
Enter an optional name and contact email address. Name
Name Email
help private comment