Equine indifference, by Tim May, Santa Fe, New Mexico, 2003 photo

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09-SEP-2003

Equine indifference, by Tim May, Santa Fe, New Mexico, 2003

I was trying to explain an image I had just made to this horse on a Santa Fe ranch. It was part of an assignment that Tim and I were working for a course in digital photojournalism taught by the photojournalist Nevada Weir at the Santa Fe Workshops. Tim caught us at the decisive moment. My attempts at communication fall on alert, but deaf ears. Yet Tim manages to imply that I won’t give up easily.

Nikon Coolpix 5700
1/314s f/6.7 at 11.6mm iso200 full exif

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Phil Douglis		01-Dec-2007 21:33
It made me giggle as well, Patricia. I am not sure this horse is buying into my theories of photographic expression.

Patricia Lay-Dorsey		01-Dec-2007 05:37
I just saw the link to this photo over at Cyndy's PAD, and am delighted you posted it. This is a terrific candid that says a lot about the relationship between our equine friends and ourselves. It makes me giggle!

Phil Douglis		16-Mar-2007 21:17
Thanks, Barri -- you are right. The horse knows something I don't know.

Barri Olson		16-Mar-2007 20:01
The interaction in this is great...but it does seem the horse is more in control here..:-) I think it's the "Horse Whisperer" in reverse. I love this shot. So much life expressed.

Phil Douglis		24-Jul-2006 16:40
Thanks, AL, for noting the incongruity in the responses here -- my enthusiasm vs. the horse's passive acceptance of my presence. I guess the horse was waiting for a treat of some kind, and when it was not forthcoming, infinite patience seemed the best approach. And yes, Tim and I would enjoy meeting you, and any other Singapore pbase photographers when we come to Singapore in August of 2007. I will keep you informed. Phil

AL		24-Jul-2006 07:13
After seeing Kal's version, I was delighted and amazed by the close interaction possible between a man/child and a horse. Perhaps I was too blind and ignorant to even notice before. Tim had done it very well here to capture the expressions, both yours and the horse's. Though it looked uninterested, at least it didn't walk away and it faithfully stood as a good listener :-)

Phil Douglis		17-Jul-2006 20:35
You mean you never saw a childlike expression on my face during my visit with you in Shanghai this spring, Jen? There is still a kid inside of this 72 year old man, you know. As for the title, the word Equiine is an adjective relating to or affecting horses. In this case, I am simply saying that I am excited and the horse is not. He (or she) is indifferent.

Jennifer Zhou		17-Jul-2006 13:55
This is my first time seeing an adorable childlike expression on your face. You are like a fifteen year old boy, curious and excited about everything.. so lovely... Phil, I think you and the horse have pretty good interaction here. She is so gentle and mild, and seems very happy to be your friend.. So I don't really understand the meaning of the title, can you explain it to me?

Phil Douglis		16-Jul-2006 01:59
Xin, how could the horse be whispering to me? He could not get a word in edgewise!

Sheena Xin Liu		15-Jul-2006 21:57
I really enjoy this photo of you, Phil. You and the horse were wordlessly interacting with each other, in a very sweet way. I am sure the horse was whispering to you...Like the portrait a lot.

Phil Douglis		15-Jul-2006 17:25
Beautifully put, Gil. Kal, Christine, and yourself all have known me face to face. So you all have a context based on personal experience to bring to this image. Glad you enjoyed Tim's interpretation. As to who has the edge in gray, I give it to the horse. There is more of him than there is of me.

Gil Hidalgo		15-Jul-2006 14:19
This is the Phil I know! Wonderful portrait. Now, would you look at that! We have Abstraction, Incongruity, and Human Values in this picture. One subject slightly more gray tha the other. You decide which one! (All in great humor!) Gil

Phil Douglis		14-Jul-2006 21:41
I'm the one neighing, Armin.

arminb		14-Jul-2006 21:11
who's who - sorry, plz forgive me, could not resist :o)

Phil Douglis		13-Jul-2006 04:25
Just got back from a three day shoot to find these seven wonderful comments on Tim's shot of myself and equine friend. I loved your comments, and answer them below: David: You see a smile on the horses face. I see sublime indifference. Robbie: Sometimes we must take a flat sky along with a glowering one. We do make an incongruous pairing. Kal: Nary a whisper. And he was, as I recall, quite stubborn. Hina: I return to Asia in Sept 07. Tim is coming with me. We visit Singapore, Malaysia, and China. Roberto: Funny, indeed. But praise Tim for his vision. I am only the human half of the cast here. Christine: Good eye for color. The horse has good taste. Sun Han: Thanks for the proverb about "old horse." Do the Chinese have a proverb about "old photographer?"

Guest		12-Jul-2006 13:25
there is a chinese saying, "old horse recognize the path." this photo proves that "old horse recognize old friend."

Christine P. Newman		11-Jul-2006 01:26
Thanks to Tim. This picture is priceless. What struck me first is the fact that both you Phil and the horse are dressed in the same colours.

Rob Rosetti		10-Jul-2006 19:38
Funny image Phil! :) Roberto

Guest		10-Jul-2006 19:34
When are you visiting Asia again?

Kal Khogali		10-Jul-2006 15:58
....OK, a horse whisperer!! He seems unconvinced by the line of arguement..HA!HA! K

Robbie D70		10-Jul-2006 14:32
This is a superb shot ! full of fun and humour . Perhaps a little too much white sky, top right ,but an angry sky elsewhere wow! Brilliant shot. Now where have I heared incongruity before ?

david procter		10-Jul-2006 07:52
Come on Phil, that horse has a smile on its face, albeit a wry one! She's just waiting for you to say incongruity

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