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Phil Douglis | all galleries >> Galleries >> Gallery Fifteen: Making travel portraits that define personality and character. > At the Fountain, Guanajuato, Mexico, 2005
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24-OCT-2005

At the Fountain, Guanajuato, Mexico, 2005

I saw this young man waiting for a bus on a busy Guanajuato Street corner. He was standing in front of an old fountain featuring the figures of three huge fish. He was listening to music through a pair of earphones. He stands in front of the middle fish, leaving a fish to emerge on either side of his body, just as the earphones emerge from either side of his head. Using my zoom lens at its full 420mm telephoto equivalent, I was able to fill my frame with him and the fish from all the way across the intersection. He was so involved in listening to his music that he never noticed me shooting from across the street.

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Phil Douglis30-Jul-2006 19:10
Nobody can really read the mind of another person. That is why Jen sees determination in his eyes while you see a lost soul. You bring your own context as a school teacher to bear on this image, Emi -- and that certainly colors your impression of this picture. You see him as tuning out, while Jen sees him a tuning in. As the photographer, I made the image to challenge both of your imaginations -- and each of you has made your own works of art out of it. Thank you for adding to the dialog here, Emi.
Guest 30-Jul-2006 16:12
This image works straightly to me without problem, I guess its because of my occupation. I always encounter the same situation at school. The youngins will never listen, but just too self-centre. They have their own worlds which we can never understand and they dont understand ours or even don't want to understand ours as well.

Its funny that I always find myself disagree with Jen. She saw the determination in this young man's eyes. I don't agree, I cant see that. But if its really determination, then I would say determination in a bad way - determined not to listen. His eyes look at something far away, but actually you can tell he wasnt really focusing. He looks like a lost soul, just stand there to wait, and in the meanwhile, he is no one - no ears to hear the surrounding, no eyes to focus, no brain to think as well - he draws into his own world so much. Just a guess, maybe he didnt even play any attention to what he is listening to(the music I mean).

Emi
Phil Douglis24-Jan-2006 04:27
Jen, I love it when you come to my galleries and learn something. And then put it to work in your own imagery. Which is how your mind works. Thank you.
Jennifer Zhou04-Jan-2006 13:29
Today, I came to your gallery, clicked into this image, and learned an important lesson!

I was like Mia at first don't know what to think about this picture, until I realized this picture is a study of details and when all details come together, the picture speaks a volume! I also notice the shape of the fish's bodies echoes the strings of the earphone, and look at those eyes of the young man, sharp and determined, while the eyes of the fish is dull and helpless. Thank you Phil for making this image and taught me how to understand it!!
Phil Douglis23-Dec-2005 21:09
Thank you, Mia, for the holiday wishes and for this comment. I am glad that someone finally thought enough about this travel portrait to write a few words for me beneath it. And yes, it certainly is a study in contrasts -- things alike vs. things different. A pairing of pairs, if you will -- two shiny earpieces, two questioning eyes, and two huge fish behind him. Yet look at all the contrasts: the fish open their mouths wide, while his lips remain sealed. And as you say, he seems lost in his world, while those fish want to not just talk, but shout. As you also point out, he is dark and bold, while they are neutral in color and blend into the background. Whenever you can make an image that contains things that echo each other and and at the same time things that contrast with each other, you will create expressive tension. This image is full of energy contained and energy released. We can't hear what he hears, and we can hear the roar of the fish, either, but we can image both. Thanks, Mia, for bringing your insights to my galleries. You contributions are always special to me. I wish you all the best for 2006, and hope you will continue to visit my galleries in search of understanding, stimulation, and knowledge.
Mia 23-Dec-2005 20:46
For a while, I was wondering what to think about this picture. It was telling me something and I was not sure what. I think it is the contrasts: this young man seems to be enclosed in his world, lost in his thoughts/music, while the two figures on each side of him seem to want to talk. His is very much alive, yet he does not show any reaction while the two figures are inert, but seem so willing to move. I also think that you found the way to emphasize the contrast between the 2 - he is much darker than the figures. He stands out.
Best wishes for the holidays, Phil.
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