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Phil Douglis | all galleries >> Galleries >> Gallery Twenty Four: The Workplace -- essence of a culture > Closing time, Kairouan, Tunisia, 2008
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09-NOV-2008

Closing time, Kairouan, Tunisia, 2008

This man is closing up his shop for the evening. There is a strange green light beyond the doors, framing a room full of equipment and materials. A star and crescent, the symbol of Tunisia, draws the eye and adds important context. The man is about to leave – his moving legs and feet become a mass of blur. (And yes, that’s Nike logo on his hat.)

Leica V-Lux 1
1/50s f/3.6 at 46.8mm iso400 full exif

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Phil Douglis08-Dec-2008 22:22
Thanks, Paul -- the implied motion of the legs speak of haste and energy. They tell a story, just like the glow and his surroundings
Paul L-R08-Dec-2008 18:16
The eerie glow is compelling but as you have pointed out it is the blurred legs that add a sense of dynamism. Wonderful. V
Phil Douglis06-Dec-2008 21:42
Thanks, Kathy, for getting so involved in this image. It does have a lot going on, but the green glow pulls it all together for me. I also like that empty silver bowl just outside the left hand door as well -- it offers great contrast to the chaotic state of affairs within the shop, and suggests a fresh start.
Kathy Khuner06-Dec-2008 20:29
The movement from the outer walls, to the tall doors, to the man and then to the jumble of objects in the shop and finally to the back wall with the two objects and then to that wonderful green light pulls me into the photo. The photo is full of transitions. The man is going from inside to outside, from work to (hopefully) home, from dark to light, and from jumble to spare.. There is a startling contrast between the large, shiny, and clean pan leaning against the left wall and the rest of the image. The pan starts a strong diagonal line directly to the standing man. I find myself totally engrossed in this image.
Phil Douglis03-Dec-2008 06:05
Thanks for connecting the logos of Nike and Islam here, Jenene. It is no accident. The star and crescent symbolize a divine force, and so does the name Nike, the goddess of victory.
JSWaters03-Dec-2008 02:53
The unexpected green glow with the prominent star and crescent shadow gives the image it's sense of place. That the Nike swoosh echoes the curve of the crescent makes the connection between cultures.
Jenene
Phil Douglis01-Dec-2008 00:46
Thanks, Tim -- as I noted in the caption, the star and crescent in the background is the Islamic symbol of Tunisia. It appears on the countries flag as well. While Tunisia has a secular government, most Tunisians are Muslims, and their religion pervades all aspects of national life. So it not surprising to me that this man, perhaps a metalworker, has a star and crescent in his cluttered shop.
Tim May30-Nov-2008 23:52
I notice the star in the green shadows reminding me that Islam is behind much of the culture we saw.
Phil Douglis30-Nov-2008 00:25
Thanks, Vera, for underscoring the importance of the color -- it is incongruous and thus activates the imagination. It does have an other-worldly glow to it. It is unexpected, and the unexpected is always rich in incongruous possibilities.
Guest 30-Nov-2008 00:15
I really like this...the green glow for some reason captivates me. Almost as if there is something alien in that room. It adds to the energy of the photo.
Phil Douglis28-Nov-2008 21:55
The color pulled me into the place as well, Kal. The pots do indeed function as sentinels here -- they may also work as signage, if he is a metal worker.
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