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Phil Douglis | all galleries >> Galleries >> Gallery Five: Using the frame to define ideas > Card Game, Summer Palace, Beijing, China, 2004
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18-JUN-2004

Card Game, Summer Palace, Beijing, China, 2004

I found this card game between this young man and woman on the grounds of the Chinese Imperial Court to be a refreshing counterpoint to the legends of graft, corruption, intrigue and murder that still cling to this place. They had actually framed themselves by sitting on the railing of a delicately carved pavilion not far from the palace where the Empress Cixi was once entertained by chorus of 384 eunuchs. I was able to make a “frame within a frame” shot of this little card game, humanizing a vast and at times intimidating palace complex.

Leica Digilux 2
1/60s f/2.8 at 22.5mm iso100 hide exif
Full EXIF Info
Date/Time18-Jun-2004 00:35:35
MakeLeica
ModelDIGILUX 2
Flash UsedNo
Focal Length22.5 mm
Exposure Time1/60 sec
Aperturef/2.8
ISO Equivalent100
Exposure Bias
White Balance (10)
Metering Modemulti spot (3)
JPEG Quality (6)
Exposure Programprogram (2)
Focus Distance

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Phil Douglis15-Jun-2007 05:01
Thanks, Sun Han -- this is one of my favorite images fom the Summer Palace. Thanks for seeing the connection between this gallery, and my own gallery, too. As you can see, this image is a good example of using a frame within a frame to establish a relationship between the two subjects. They are playing cards, so their responses are relaxed and natural. Glad you like it "the best" --however I don't compare the value of my images. Each one is here to teach -- and I am glad this image is doing its share of teaching here.
Guest 13-Jun-2007 19:43
this is the best photo in this photo gallery.
reason 1. it's a very good use of the chinese gallery, which itself a delicate mutiple frame. Gallery means "a roofed promenade", an outdoor balkony-like corridor, this is one of best architecture example you can get in the world to return to the true meaning of "gallery", each step you talk in a well-designed gallery will be a new/pleasent scene.

reason 2. these two people happened to drop in this architecture/photo frame in a very relax manner, thus a nature picture by itself.
Phil Douglis17-Dec-2004 18:05
As you know, Clara, I am a de-sacralization kind of guy! I agree with your view that the freedom to live our lives as we wish to lead them, without being threat of punishment by political or religious tyrants, is almost, but not quite, a reality. It, too, shall come.
Guest 17-Dec-2004 14:19
It is beautiful. Also, it shows the de-sacralization of solemn places and institutions that is a characteristic of our times. I hope we are moving, as humankind, to an era beyond power/economic exploitation and beyond religious dogma and superstition. These guys innocently playing cards in such a place are a refreshing view.
Phil Douglis12-Nov-2004 04:33
Yes, it is incongruous to see the 21st Century played out in a 19th Century setting. They never saw me. The were much too involved in their card game. I generally keep my shutter sound off as well. And no beep sounds, ever!
Guest 12-Nov-2004 03:24
Blue jeans and baseball caps at the Royal Palace...how things have changed! Another superior photo. Were they aware of you shooting the picture? I'm going to have to turn off that phony "shutter sound" on my digital camera in hope of being able to capture images like this without drawing attention to myself.
Don Northup25-Jul-2004 05:30
A quality shot. cheers
Phil Douglis21-Jul-2004 23:52
Thank you again, Wendy. You are no stranger to beautiful images yourself! Coming from you, I cherish this comment.
Phil
Wendy O21-Jul-2004 23:45
Beautiful. Again, for the composition and the humanity.
Phil Douglis17-Jul-2004 03:40
Once again, human values come to the rescue. While this gallery is about framing, and this image is about framing within the frame, the picture would not work without the sincerity and bonding conveyed by the card game within the frame. And sincerity and bonding are human values. I also like your point about the people taking over the palace. This place was built over 100 years ago in an orgy of private excess. Today, it is still excessive, but at least its excesses can bring pleasure and knowledge to the people who visit.
Tim May16-Jul-2004 17:32
I think of the clear modernity and commonness of the people in relationship the elite pomp of the historical place - the "people" have taken over the palace.
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