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Phil Douglis | all galleries >> Galleries >> Gallery Twenty Seven: Bringing far to near with the telephoto lens > Mother and Daughter, Temse, Belgium, 2005
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15-JUN-2005

Mother and Daughter, Temse, Belgium, 2005

I used the classic portrait focal length – approximately 105mm – to make this naturally candid portrait of a Belgian mother and daughter. I wanted the image to reflect an intimate, thoughtful moment in time, with each of the subjects appearing relaxed and unaware of the camera. The daughter is softly illuminated by window light, while the mother’s profile is in shadow. We were luncheon guests of this Belgian family, and I made this image while sharing a conversation with them and several other guests. The mother answers a question, while her daughter, who is still learning English, is patiently trying to absorb the answer. Working from about 10 feet away, the 105mm focal length makes it seem as if I was five feet away. But I was not in their face, and they were able to concentrate on the conversation instead of reacting to the camera. Without a telephoto lens, it would have been very difficult to make this natural an image.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ20
1/40s f/2.8 at 17.1mm iso80 full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto
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Phil Douglis07-Mar-2008 17:52
Hi, Ed -- glad you like this image. And yes, it is a coincidence that you live in Temse and own an FZ-20. Temse is a small town, and the FZ-20 has been replaced by first the FZ-30 and then the FZ-50, so there are not many of them still around. So the coincidence is even greater. (I now use the Leica V-Lux-1, which is the Leica version of the Panasonic FZ-50.)
Ed Duverger07-Mar-2008 10:28
Hi,great shot.I owned a Konica(analogue)with 135 mm lens and this was great for portraits.Unfortunately it was stolen in France.
Besides we have two points in common:I live in Temse and own a FZ20
Phil Douglis25-Oct-2007 22:25
Thanks, Chris, for being the first to think enough of this image to comment on it. It has been sitting here for two years and four months, just waiting for you. I see the spirit of the Flemish painters here as well -- could it be because the young subject is Belgian? She has a wonderfully youthful face and the Vermeerish window light I used here suits her well. I also like the way the telephoto lens brings mother and daughter together here, flattening and layering the image in the process. I also liked the contrast between the darkened mother and illuminated daughter.
Chris Sofopoulos25-Oct-2007 18:57
I can't believe that nobody commented this image.
It reminds me so much of paintings of the Flemish painters!
Amazing natural expression of the girl and fantastic crop.
One of my favourites.
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