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Phil Douglis | all galleries >> Galleries >> Gallery Eight: Light and shadow shape meaning > Grand Palace, Bangkok,Thailand, 2000
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11-FEB-2000

Grand Palace, Bangkok,Thailand, 2000

A palace spire reflects the setting sun in a blaze of gold on a field of deep blue. I deliberately underexposed the picture to make the sky darker than it really was. It creates more contrast for the temple spire, which became a burnished stack of golden cubes. Because of the effect of reflected light, this golden spire becomes a glittering abstraction symbolizing not only the Grand Palace itself, but Thai culture as well.

Kodak DC4800
1/1000s f/6.7 at 12.3mm hide exif
Full EXIF Info
Date/Time11-Feb-2000 10:41:56
MakeKodak
ModelDC4800
Flash UsedNo
Focal Length12.3 mm
Exposure Time1/1000 sec
Aperturef/6.7
ISO Equivalent
Exposure Bias-1.00
White Balance (-1)
Metering Modeaverage (1)
JPEG Quality (6)
Exposure Programprogram (2)
Focus Distance3.240 m

other sizes: small medium large original auto
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Phil Douglis04-Dec-2004 23:54
This comment means more to me than you can ever imagine, Nut. It is not often that foreign visitor can make an image that represents the heart of another country and its people. I have always looked at this photograph as a valid expression of your Palace and your culture. But now you tell me that to you, a Thai, this photograph is also an expression, and perhaps also an explanation, of the very heart of your people and your King. You always bring great insights to my images, Nut, and this comment is your greatest gift to me. Thank you.
nut 04-Dec-2004 14:50
My Grand palace is in our thais. You are right, what I saw here. It's not only Grand palace or
culture. It's our Thai's heart too. And you explained in here, in your photo about the heart of thais. The golden reflection here is represent the golden heart of Thais, especially my King.
Phil Douglis03-Nov-2003 03:52
Thanks, Beverly, for your kind words on this picture. I have been to Bangkok three times, but only once was I at the Grand Palace at sunset, and able to get this kind of light. The sunlight reflecting on this familiar spire was intense. So intense in fact, that that I had to speed up my shutter to 1/1000th of a second to underexpose the picture and get this kind of saturation. I darkened the sky further in Photoshop. As for those ascending angles, and the position in the frame -- that was all a result of my vantage point. I kept walking towards this blazing spire until I was almost directly underneath it, shooting straight up. And yes, I am always as conscious of negative space as I am of positive space. the tension created by the off-center placement, along with a canvas of deep blue sky, was as important to me as the spire itself. I am delighted you enjoy this shot, Beverly. Coming from you, I consider that high praise indeed. Thanks again.
Phil
Guest 03-Nov-2003 01:08
I keep coming back to this one for several reasons. I love how you've located it in the frame, and the way the angles align and ascend towards the spire. Then I like the use of negative space and where the spire has been placed. I appreciate the technical info on the exposure and shall have to try something like that.

Thailand (and BKK) is one of my favorite places, I've been there eight times. You have taken this often seen and photographed building and presented it in an original and unique way. That is an eye and talent that I really admire.
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