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Phil Douglis | all galleries >> Galleries >> Gallery Twenty One: The Marketplace -- crossroads of a community. > Religious Goods Shop, Chinatown, Yangon, Myanmar, 2005
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Religious Goods Shop, Chinatown, Yangon, Myanmar, 2005

This young woman sells all kinds of religious paraphernalia -- including fans and cushions used by monks. In this particular image, the subject is very conscious of the camera and seems to enjoy the attention. She had been facing away from me. She turned around, saw me, and gave me a big smile. I like the way she extends all her fingers on the bench. That hand is full of tension and energy. The colorful items around her are incongruous, exotic and unfamiliar, the dark doorway promises more of the same inside. The woman’s youth and enthusiasm make this image succeed as expression.


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Phil Douglis17-Nov-2005 01:36
The human smile is by far the most photographed emotion of all. It has become a convention, in most societies, to smile for the camera because a smile usually represents happiness, and most people want others to see them as happy. I rarely photograph people smiling at the camera because it is so common. But every now and then, the context for the smile, the nature of the smile, and the body language of the person doing the smiling can turn the ordinary into the extraordinary. This was just such a smile, Shu -- as you say, she virtually defines innocence. Thanks for noting it.
Shu17-Nov-2005 00:35
It's wonderful how the definition of innocence can be reflected in just one little smile! shu
Jennifer Zhou18-Apr-2005 08:45
I would really love to see the big smile behind this camera! But I could only imagine~
Phil Douglis17-Apr-2005 01:46
I was hoping you would comment on this image, Jen, because it is your kind of image as well as mine. You often express the essence of your pictures through the feelings of those who appear in them. That is what I tried to do here. You are right. We did have a connection. I saw her sitting there and gave her a big smile as I raised my camera, and I could feel the warmth of her smile in return. It gave both of us an excuse to smile at a complete stranger, something we don't normally do. In the process, I was able to make a picture that tells a story.
Jennifer Zhou16-Apr-2005 15:22
Sorry Phil, typing mistake on line five, should be "incredible gallery"!
Jennifer Zhou16-Apr-2005 15:09
I notice this is the only picture so far that your subject is aware of your presence, she is not shy or uncomfortable at all with your and your camera, instead giving you the most welcome and sweet smile. She is like an angel coming down here to you! Also I get this feelings that you two somehow have a subtle connection here even you never knew each other before. I am imagining that you are walking pass the store but then notice her and look back to her, as she looking back to you at the same moment, you two are just about to miss each other but didn't, and you capture this moment to remember forever. I guess it would also be a good ending picture for this increditable gallery, because there are so many things in the marketplace that worth remembering, and when it is time to leave, to call it an end, you just can't help looking back. And here is she, an happy angel!

Jen
Phil Douglis01-Mar-2005 22:09
Thanks, junwu -- I liked the smile as well, but also the way she holds her body and the way she infuses the image with energy.
Jun Wu01-Mar-2005 20:12
The most beautiful smile in the whole galery. Once again, you were there, Phil, right timing, right vantage point.
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