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Phil Douglis | all galleries >> Galleries >> Gallery Sixteen: Story-telling street photography > Lottery ticket seller, Bilbao, Spain, 2004
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01-SEP-2004

Lottery ticket seller, Bilbao, Spain, 2004

My story here is simple -- either buy a lottery ticket from her and hope for the best, or catch a good deal on clothing while you can. I saw it as soon as I framed the shot – the symbol of the Spanish lottery saleswoman crossing her legs before her on the stool, juxtaposed against the symbolism of a store window filled with bargains, and also featuring legs – this time the legs of manikins. This picture is one of those rare hybrids – it is actually an environmental portrait of the sales lady, but because of the strong relationship between her job and the bargain basement prices in the window, this picture is most certainly a street photograph as well.

Canon PowerShot G5
1/125s f/4.0 at 14.4mm full exif

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Michael Tauber18-Jan-2006 17:31
Very nice neo-realism!
Phil Douglis27-Feb-2005 03:27
Thanks for the question, Dandan. The dark half doorway is essential to the meaning of the picture. Robin picked up on it when she said "and then there are the far off dreams of hitting the jackpot. I likely would have cropped out the doorway on the right side, but I'm so glad you didn't, as it's a critical part of the story... the entrance to the store of bargains vs one euro to become a millionaire and shop at Armani next time!" In other words, that door is where you go to look for cheap clothes. But if you win the lottery she wants you to try, you will never have to go through it again! Hope this answers your question -- a good one, as usual!
Guest 02-Feb-2005 16:49
Phil, I like this picture, like the incongruities, meaning behind the picture. However, the dark half door way kind of draws my eyes to it. You left it in the frame must have a reason…I am wondering what could it be...
Phil Douglis30-Oct-2004 23:47
I should have called this shot "Legs," Zebra!
Guest 30-Oct-2004 16:56
I see legs.One,two,three,four...ten legs.Some in trousers,some in skirt,and the strangest--the woman's thick legs upon two slender legs of the stool.What a interesting shot!
Phil Douglis21-Oct-2004 23:15
You picked up on the two levels of incongruity right away, didn't you, Jen? You are getting very good at identifying the many possibilities for communication and expression offered to us by incongruous relationships, and I am sure you will be using this key principle more and more in your own brilliant imagery.
Jennifer Zhou20-Oct-2004 04:51
An interesting incongruity between the real human model and plastic model, one is selling clothes, one is selling luck!
The woman wearing lottery tickets looks bored and no excitement at all, compare to what lottery means to many people, you made another incongruity.

Jen
Phil Douglis09-Oct-2004 23:03
Thanks, Rodney. This image was meant to make you think, and it did.
Guest 09-Oct-2004 21:51
Hahaha. My first thought was "see what you can buy if you have $? buy a ticket and win some clothes money!" :)
Phil Douglis19-Sep-2004 21:26
What a beautiful recap of my intentions, Robin. You have put flesh on the bones of my explanation, too. I could not have described the story I am telling here as well as you have. The slice of life aspect, the life of this woman and her customers and those who frequent bargain clothing stores -- all of this was part of my story, but not really articulated until now. And that, too, is the job of a good critic. Thanks, Robin, for posting this.
phil
robin statfeld19-Sep-2004 20:40
Phil, this is my other favorite from your street gallery. First of all, I'm fascinated by this woman wearing lottery tickets - that's not how they sell them in my town! And your coupling of her with the clothing sale is so effective. In this photo, from this tiny slice of life, you've managed to convey real, working class city life. Obviously, this goes for the woman who earns her pay sitting on a chair selling lotto tickets, but also for the customers - this store strikes me as not being Gucci or Armani, it's bargains on average clothes, and then there are the far off dreams of hitting the jackpot. I likely would have cropped out the doorway on the right side, but I'm so glad you didn't, as it's a critical part of the story... the entrance to the store of bargains vs one euro to become a millionaire and shop at Armani next time!
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