photo sharing and upload picture albums photo forums search pictures popular photos photography help login
Phil Douglis | all galleries >> Galleries >> Gallery Ninety: 101 ways to interpret Bolivia > Two halves, Sucre, Bolivia, 2014
previous | next
17-MAY-2014

Two halves, Sucre, Bolivia, 2014

If we look at this image purely from a descriptive standpoint, it is simply shows us a typical Bolivian street corner scene. An indigenous woman, wearing an ethnic costume, looks to the left as she carries a heavy but brilliantly colored burden on her back. A mother and her son, who carries a light, black backpack, face right as they wait for a bus. This image, when examined from an interpretive standpoint, goes well beyond description, contrasting the two sides of Bolivia. The left hand side of the image defines the indigenous majority, people heavily influenced by tradition. Symbolically, they have been carrying heavy burdens for centuries. Meanwhile the right hand side of the image shows us Bolivians who have left tradition behind them, people who wear sporting gear and carry backpacks filled with schoolbooks. The opposing halves of Bolivian society may cross paths on this street corner, yet neither acknowledges the other.

FujiFilm X-M1
1/900s f/22.0 at 84.8mm iso800 hide exif
Full EXIF Info
Date/Time17-May-2014 07:13:36
MakeFujiFilm
ModelX-M1
Flash UsedNo
Focal Length84.8 mm
Exposure Time1/909 sec
Aperturef/22
ISO Equivalent800
Exposure Bias-0.67
White Balance
Metering Mode
JPEG Quality
Exposure Program
Focus Distance

other sizes: small medium large original auto
share
Phil Douglis22-Jul-2014 22:02
Thank you, Vera, for coming to this image. My explanation reflects my own intentions in making this image. My interpretation is intended as social commentary, more than just a street scene in Bolivia. I hope that many viewers will also see it in this manner. I always try to imply my intentions in my captions. so that my viewers and students will see why and how I chose to make the picture as I did.
veraferia21-Jul-2014 10:58
Fantastic image...thanks for the explanation!
Phil Douglis13-Jul-2014 22:38
Thanks for your comment, Steve. This picture expresses its ideas even without my commentary. However, as a teacher of photographic expression, I add verbal context to provide background information and also to define my objectives for the image.
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