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Phil Douglis | all galleries >> Galleries >> Gallery Twelve: Using color to express ideas > Commuters, Grand Central Terminal, New York City, New York, 2009
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19-MAR-2009

Commuters, Grand Central Terminal, New York City, New York, 2009

I initially intended this image to be black and white – further abstracting the already blurred figures rushing across the spot of light falling on the vast marble floor of the station. But when I saw how the small orange glow coming from the illuminated display on the cell phone of the woman at the center of the image created a focal point and added much to the meaning of this photograph, I retained the color. If I had converted this image to black and white as originally planned, the phone would vanish as a focal point, and the image would fail to express its multi-taking message. The lesson here is clear: it is usually best to let our content determine the form of an image, rather than to allow the form of an image to dictate its content and dilute the message in the process.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1
1/20s f/4.0 at 45.0mm iso160 full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto
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Phil Douglis03-Apr-2009 02:18
I had not noticed the linkage between the glowing bald head at the bottom of the frame and the glow of the phone before you mentioned it, Tim. But that is why I treasure your comments so -- you always manage to see small things that I've missed, things that, when noticed, may alter the meaning of a picture for me. Thank you.
Tim May03-Apr-2009 00:12
I can't help but to also notice that the glow of the phone echos the glow of the bald man's head. It is almost as if the phone represents the means to convey the ideas in one's head.
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